Mary J. Safford
Encyclopedia
Mary Jane Safford-Blake (December 31, 1834 – December 8, 1891) was a school teacher, a prominent nurse in the Union army and worked closely with Mary Ann Bickerdyke
treating the sick and injured near Fort Donelson
.
In 1862, she accompanied the army of Ulysses S. Grant
during the Battle of Shiloh
, where she comforted and ministered to the wounded. Later, she served aboard a pair of military hospital ships on the Mississippi, the City of Memphis and the Hazel Dell.
When the war ended in 1865, Safford studied medicine, graduating from the Medical College for Women in New York City
four years later. She also studied at the University of Breslaw in Germany
, where she performed the first ovariotomy ever done by a woman.
In 1872, Safford opened a private practice in Chicago. She developed a plan for mass housing centered around a common service area for cooperative housekeeping to reduce drudgery for women. Later, she became Professor of Women's Diseases at the Boston University
School of Medicine and a staff doctor at the Massachusetts Homeopathic Hospital. After her marriage, she adopted the name Mary Jane Safford-Blake.
Among her publications was Health and Strength Papers for Girls.
Safford spent her later years in Tarpon Springs, Florida
with her brother Anson
and his family. She died on December 8, 1891.
Mary Ann Bickerdyke
Mary Ann Bickerdyke , also known as Mother Bickerdyke, was a hospital administrator for Union soldiers during the American Civil War.She was born in Knox County, Ohio, to Hiram Ball and Annie Rodgers Ball...
treating the sick and injured near Fort Donelson
Fort Donelson
Fort Donelson was a fortress built by the Confederacy during the American Civil War to control the Cumberland River leading to the heart of Tennessee, and the heart of the Confederacy.-History:...
.
In 1862, she accompanied the army of Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th President of the United States as well as military commander during the Civil War and post-war Reconstruction periods. Under Grant's command, the Union Army defeated the Confederate military and ended the Confederate States of America...
during the Battle of Shiloh
Battle of Shiloh
The Battle of Shiloh, also known as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, was a major battle in the Western Theater of the American Civil War, fought April 6–7, 1862, in southwestern Tennessee. A Union army under Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant had moved via the Tennessee River deep into Tennessee and...
, where she comforted and ministered to the wounded. Later, she served aboard a pair of military hospital ships on the Mississippi, the City of Memphis and the Hazel Dell.
When the war ended in 1865, Safford studied medicine, graduating from the Medical College for Women in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
four years later. She also studied at the University of Breslaw in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, where she performed the first ovariotomy ever done by a woman.
In 1872, Safford opened a private practice in Chicago. She developed a plan for mass housing centered around a common service area for cooperative housekeeping to reduce drudgery for women. Later, she became Professor of Women's Diseases at the Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
School of Medicine and a staff doctor at the Massachusetts Homeopathic Hospital. After her marriage, she adopted the name Mary Jane Safford-Blake.
Among her publications was Health and Strength Papers for Girls.
Safford spent her later years in Tarpon Springs, Florida
Tarpon Springs, Florida
Tarpon Springs is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. The population was 21,003 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2004 estimates, the city had a population of 22,554....
with her brother Anson
Anson P.K. Safford
Anson Pacely Killen SaffordVarious sources give multiple variations for the spelling of Safford's two middle names. Among these are Peasley, Peacely, Keeler, and Killen. was the third Governor of Arizona Territory...
and his family. She died on December 8, 1891.
Further reading
- Fischer, Leroy H., "Cairo's Civil War Angel, Mary Jane Stafford." Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society, No. 54, 1961.