The Extraordinary Secret Aug 19th

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Doctor James Barry was a renowned surgeon who performed the first successful cesarean in the British Empire. He brought modern medical practice to far away places such as South Africa, Jamaica and Canada. Dr. Barry was a military surgeon during the 1800s when there was scarcity and minimal technology. Let’s explore the fascinating life of Dr. Barry but be alert, you might discover an extraordinary secret. Let’s do it!

Dr. Barry was a dedicated doctor that treated the rich and the poor, the master and the slaves. He also dedicated himself to improving the sanitary conditions of barracks, prisons and asylums. He spent 10 years in South Africa where he made arrangements to improve the water system for Cape Town city where he was assigned.

Dr. Barry was sent to different parts of the world as he climbed ranks in the British Empire territory. He was hardworking and soon promoted to Inspector General, equivalent to Brigadier General rank in charge of military hospitals. Dr. Barry’s medical abilities were unprecedented but he had a really bad temper. When he got angry he yelled at his patients, superiors and nurses and it wasn’t unusual to see him throwing medicine bottles around. Once, he even challenged a man to a duel but thankfully no one was seriously harmed. 

Dr. Barry’s death wish was to be buried with the same clothes he was wearing and that his body was not washed. But due to protocole his superiors did not grant his wish. When the nurses removed his clothes they were surprised to find that Dr. Barry had the anatomy of a woman and that there were stretch marks from what could have been a pregnancy.

Historical records show that Dr. James Barry was in reality Margaret Ann Bulky. She had been born in Ireland and the personality that she used was from James Barry, her uncle who had died when Margaret was young. Because Margaret had been born in a time when women were not allowed to do what men did like going to the university of becoming doctors. She decided to take her uncle’s identity, wore an overcoat at all times and put 3-inch high shoe inserts so she could go to university, become a doctor and join the army.

With her new identity Margaret still had problems getting enrolled in medicine school because she was short and thin. She also had a high pitch voice and smooth skin that made teachers think that she was too young to become a doctor. But she proved them wrong and graduated at age 22. Her small womanly appearance was also a problem when she applied for the army but she made it through as well. 

During her time in Cape Town, South Africa, Dr. Barry became a good friend of the governor, Lord Charles Somerset. Historians think that Somerset knew Margaret’s secret. The two grew affection for each other and Dr. Barry moved into a private apartment that Somerset had at his residence. Rumors started to circulate and a commission was assigned to investigate the scandal but nothing was found.

There is no doubt that Margaret Ann Bulky was a woman ahead of her time. She had great intelligence and courage to have lived, about 40 years, from the time she entered medical school to the day she died as a high rank British officer, a life that was out of reach for the woman of her time.