ABSTRACT
The anguish of her newly widowed mother made Sophia feel that, by comparison, her own ambitions were of little importance. Edinburgh University had special attractions for Sophia. Its medical faculty had for many years been acknowledged as one of the best in the nation, with teachers such as Syme, Simpson and Christison attracting large numbers of appreciative students. Masson was convinced that women should be allowed to share the advantages of university education, but his enthusiasm was tempered with tact and discretion, qualities that made him an effective proponent of the women’s cause at Edinburgh University. While expressions of goodwill were heartening, Sophia’s urgent need was to find a group of women who shared her ambitions, were well educated, and were able to stay in Edinburgh for the four years of a medical course. Edinburgh University, the first British university to open its doors to women, now had five female undergraduates!.
