The strange story of Dr. James Barry, army surgeon, Inspector-General of Hospitals

After more than 40 years of service in the British Army as a surgeon, and attaining high rank, it was discovered that the diminutive but redoubtable Dr. James Barry was a woman ; she may have been the first woman of modern times to qualify as a doctor and practise as a surgeon, which, according to contemporary sources, she practised with remarkable intelligence and skill.