Dorothy Christian Hare

Dorothy Christian Hare, CBE (14 September 1876 – 19 January 1967) was an English physician. She joined the Royal Army Medical Corps and Women's Royal Naval Service during the First World War where she became concerned about the treatment of venereal disease in women. Upon returning to England she established two hostels to improve conditions for such cases. Following a career at the Royal Free Hospital and the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hospital she became the third woman and first female general physician to be elected a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians. Early life Hare was born on 14 September 1876 in Bath, Somerset to Mary Wood and Edward Hare, who had been the Indian Medical Service's Deputy Inspector General of Hospitals. She was educated privately and enjoyed singing. She was, however, keen to receive a formal education and entered Cheltenham Ladies College at the age of 19. Hare later studied at the London School of Medicine for Women from which she received a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery in 1905 and became a house physician first at the Royal Free Hospital and then the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hospital. Hare returned to the Royal Free Hospital as an assistant pathologist. She was awarded a Doctor of Medicine degree in 1908 and a Doctor of Public Health degree in 1912. She practised general medicine at Cambridge until 1916. First World War Hare joined the Royal Army Medical Corps during the First World War and in 1916 was posted to Malta. She was appointed General Medical Director of the Women's Royal Naval Service in 1918 and she received appointment as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire on 9 May 1919 in recognition of her service in that role.