The secret and obvious cleverness of Dr. Bulkley-Barry (7 photos)

Modern fashion is such that baggy bulky clothes and unisex shoes do not even immediately allow you to determine the gender person's belonging. And in history there were cases when the floor had to hide, doing it not out of personal whim, but for the good of society.





Margaret Ann Bulkley was born into a wealthy family greenery shopkeeper in 1795. Jeremiah's parents and Mary Ann raised their daughter in strictness, raising her as a pious young lady.



When the girl grew up, a prosperous family fell upon problems: father went to prison. The older brother was already married by that time. and got his own children, so you can’t count on his help had to. And mother Margaret's relatives offered a brilliant way out - on time to make a girl a boy. Needless to say, they were not the first who resorted to this method.

The idea was suggested by a relative - Uncle Margaret. Free an artist who wrote only at the behest of the soul, he emphasized that a man life is much easier. And he also shared his name.

New life





Margaret and her mother went to Edinburgh under the guise of an amendment health, which the woman was shaken due to family problems. The aunt and nephew had already left the ship. And the young man - short-haired slender James Barry easily entered the university as a surgeon. Also with a scholarship, so that the student was not threatened with outright poverty.

James didn't really stand out from the crowd. But studied excellent, and then made a brilliant career. First, thanks to natural data, and secondly, the notorious upbringing played a role - everything that the newly minted surgeon did had to be impeccable. Pedantry, meticulousness and ignoring standard men's entertainment - drinking, cards and young ladies.

Barry enlisted in the British Army and sent money to the family. Yet James was… a loving daughter. If in Britain, he was still somehow restrained, then after being sent to India, where, far away from the homeland, the military allowed themselves a violation of discipline, from a frail surgeons all began to hide. He did not let anyone down, demanding compliance with the rules, norms of hygiene and sanitation, because dirt, heat, snakes and all other did not contribute to the preservation of health and prolongation of life.

Romance and landscaping



As a result of a stuffy specialist who was feared communicate not only because of a sharp tongue, but also excellent command sword and shooting skills, transferred to Cape Town. Where is he According to the surviving evidence, he performed the first operation in South Africa - a caesarean section, as a result of which both mother and child survived. baby even the name was given in honor of the savior - James Barry Munnik.

Through the efforts of the doctor, life in the city has improved, in particular, plumbing appeared. There is a version that the secret of the young surgeon was revealed local mayor. And they even had a secret affair ended with the birth of a child.



A novel about the life of a doctor

A new rise and wanderings followed, as a result which the doctor managed to check in and work in Mauritius, the island of St. Helena, Malta, Corfu, in the Crimea, Jamaica and Canada.

Were there suspicions among colleagues and patients during this time? Probably yes. But no one saw fit to move forward. And why? The doctor was an excellent specialist, to improve the lives of ordinary people did a lot - providing soldiers with quality food, updating sanitary norms and rules for patient care, which made it possible to maintain lots of lives.

Who are you, Dr. Barry?



Barry's grave

The mystery was revealed when the doctor's time came. Body washed servant - the venerable mother of almost a dozen children Sophia Bishop. With such experience she could not be mistaken: her eyes clearly appeared to be an old woman, and not old man: lack of manhood, obviously feminine, although small breasts, and besides, obvious stretch marks on the abdomen, which leaves a memory of pregnancy.

Bishop tensed, thought and went to her best friend the late Dr. McKinnon to shake off money for silence. But not that she will tell everyone. He just laughed, saying that she was free do what he wants. Possibly usopshy had signs of a hermaphrodite, but now it doesn't matter anymore. And the maid's chatter won't hurt anyone.



Actress Rachel Weisz, who embodied the image of James Barry in the movie

Why didn't the doctor reveal the identity in Cape Town? After all, Africa this is not Britain. Here it was possible to arrange a personal life and not hide. Apparently, the doctor could no longer imagine a life without movement, risk, active activities. That's why everything remains as it is.

Actually, if not for the greedy maid, about this story no one would know. And, in fact, does it really matter who the eccentric was? doctor, an excellent specialist and a great humanist, if he did so much goodness in the world.