Mary+Murdoch

Dr Mary Murdoch

Scotswomen Mary Murdoch went to London School of Medicine for Women in Bloomsbury in London graduating around 1893, when she was given the job of House Surgeon at the Children's Hospital in Hull. While studying to be a doctor she was drawn into the women's suffrage movement. Three years later she set up as general practitioner being the first woman GP in Hull and appointed Senior Physician at the Children's Hospital.

In 1904 Mary became founding president of Hull's NUWSS (National Union of Women's Suffrage Society) branch, holding monthly discussions, attracting 200 members forming other unions in nearby towns like Beverley and presented a petition from the women of Hull to the House of Commons.

Dr Mary Murdoch was key to the effort, it was her house on Beverley Road, Hull where the suffragists held their meetings, Mary often acted as NUWSS Delegate on trips down to London, she was the suffrage inspiration locally, suggested to be an icon that played upon their dull souls, she drove Hull voters to the polls.

Around this time the suffragettes were attempting to put their mark on Hull but the split from the Suffragists came about because they believed that things weren't happening fast enough and were not getting anywhere by being non militant, the suffragettes wanted to do more.

Doll made of Dr Murdoch by suffragette campagner