Dorothea Erxleben

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German stamp issued in 1987 in the Women in German history series
German stamp issued in 1987 in the Women in German history series

Dorothea Christiane Erxleben née Leporin (born November 13, 1715 in Quedlinburg, died June 13, 1762 in Quedlinburg) was the first female medical doctor in Germany[1].

Erxleben was instructed in medicine by her father from an early age[2]. The Italian scientist Laura Bassi's university professorship inspired Erxleben to fight for her right to practise medicine, and in 1742 she published a tract arguing that women should be allowed to attend university[3]. After being admitted to study by a dispensation of Frederick the Great[4], Erxleben received her M.D. from the University of Halle in 1754[5]. She went on to analyse the obstacles preventing women from studying, among them housekeeping and family[6].

[edit] References

  1. ^ Schiebinger, L. (1990): "The Anatomy of Difference: Race and Sex in Eighteenth-Century Science" p. 399, Eighteenth Century Studies 23(3) pp. 387-405
  2. ^ Sutherland, M. (1985): Women Who Teach in Universities (Trentham Books) p. 118
  3. ^ Offen, K. (2000): European Feminisms, 1700-1950: A Political History (Stanford University Press) p. 43
  4. ^ Sutherland, M. (1985): Women Who Teach in Universities (Trentham Books) p. 118
  5. ^ Offen, K. (2000): European Feminisms, 1700-1950: A Political History (Stanford University Press) p. 43
  6. ^ Sutherland, M. (1985): Women Who Teach in Universities (Trentham Books) p. 118

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