| Date | 1752 |
|---|---|
| Location | Edinburgh |
| Description |
Licensing female midwives after a period of informal training was common practice throughout Europe in the early-modern period. The practice of applying for certification was established in this city when Joseph Gibson requested permission to instruct female midwives, when appointed City Professor of Midwifery in 1726. On 24 December 1751, Mrs Ann Ker, petitioned the Incorporation of Surgeons for formal recognition of her midwifery skills in order to obtain “a Licence to practice Midwifery in any Town or Shire”. Members were appointed to examine her, and in 1752 she was found to be “in every respect Extremely well Qualified to Discharge the Office of a Midwife and well deserve the favour of a Licence from the Corporation”. Ann Ker in fact became the first female Licentiate of our organisation. Minute book of the Incorporation of Surgeons of Edinburgh (later RCSEd), Volume 5, 1738-1770 |
| Format | |
| Original Index Number | RCSEd 2/1/5 |
