Challenging the 'old crone' stereotype of the historical midwife
Image credit: the Wellcome Collection
Challenge the stereotype of the unskilled historical midwife. Join us to discover the remarkable story of Mrs Cowper, a highly-trained and respected 19th-century Highland midwife.
Researchers Professor Nicola Ring and Dr Ness McHugh will explain how a single newspaper death-notice from 1843 led to a major historical discovery. Learn how Mrs Cowper was formally trained in Edinburgh in 1786 and why her work is now considered internationally significant.
The talk will explore her surviving professional register, which records nearly 4000 births, offering an unparalleled window into women's healthcare history.
About the speakers
Professor Nicola Ring and Dr Ness McHugh are researchers from Edinburgh Napier University. They discovered Mrs Cowper's story at a 2024 ancestry event held with the Royal College of Nursing and the National Library of Scotland.
