Remembering city’s first woman doctor

IN 1892, there was an epidemic in the City of Leicester.

One of the doctors who was working in the Infirmary Workhouse at the time, nursing the sick patients, contracted the disease, and unfortunately subsequently died of it.

In the pandemic of 2020-21 this is now something we can all relate to.

But back then, this doctor – Dr Mary Royce – was the very first female doctor in Leicester, qualifying in about 1879. Up until 1875, women had not been able to train as doctors.

After starting a Sunday School for boys, she had also founded The Royce Institute where she taught many boys and young men, some of whom had no other opportunity of education at all.

She taught not just the three Rs, but subjects such as geography, and chemistry. She wanted to give them a fuller experience of life and the opportunity for a better future.

She also introduced them to music, poetry and nature, organising outings for them to Charnwood Forest.

Wanting to help as many as she could to have a better and fuller experience of life, her work was motivated by her strong Christian faith. Her parents assisted her in her work. Then by training as a doctor, she devoted herself further to serve those in the locality around St Margaret’s Church.

After Dr Royce’s death, the institute continued to practice her ideals.

Still learning, supporting and organising social events for members, which included my own father, and people in the local community, as well as giving generously to local hospitals. In 1970, the Institute was re-sited in a new building in Crane Street, not far from where the original building had been in South Church Gate.

The old building and the area around it was demolished for road widening, now St Margaret’s Way.

In the written journal it was noted that “in 1972 – the 80th anniversary of the founder’s death, a tea and social was arranged. The year closed with dinner for old folks, a function which has been going on for nearly 100 years. It is another proof of the memories and love the members have towards the great and good woman, who by her sacrifice and her service to mankind, made it all possible in the first place”.

Dr Mary Royce – beloved by all and whose name will never be forgotten. But in 2020 the institute finally closed its doors and has now been sold on. A blue plaque on the building commemorates Dr Royce, and it is to be hoped that the city will continue to remember its “first woman doctor” in the future. Her modest grave can be found in Welford Road cemetery where she lies alongside her parents.