Merbai Ardesir Vakil 
Biography of Merbai Ardesir Vakil
Merbai Ardesir Vakil, Graduation 1897
Merbai Ardesir Vakil was the first female Indian graduate of the University of Glasgow, graduating MB CM in 1897.
Born in Bombay 25th May 1868, Vakil recieved her early education at the Wilson High School, Khetwadi, Bombay. She graduated in 1888 and studied at the Grant Medical college before leaving to study in the UK. Vakil attended the London School of Medicine for Women before coming to Glasgow’s Queen Margaret College Medical School in 1893, just as the women’s college was merging with the University. After graduation she spent two years working as a postgraduate in Glasgow, before returning to India to work in hospitals such as the Cama Hospital for Women and Children in Bombay and the Cumoo Jaffer Suleman Dispensary in Kapadoia. Vakil worked with Dr. K. N. Bahadurjee in the Plague Hospital in Byculla, Bombay, established during the first years of the outbreak.
Dr Vakil left for Aden in 1927, (until 1937, Aden was ruled as part of British India) where she worked in Government service and private practice until 1941.
Sources
Archival Materials
- DC 233/2/10/6/1 Queen Margaret College, Graduate and Career Records
- DC183/11 General Council Register 1900
- DC233/2/22/2/51 Photograph of Vakil
- R3/1/1 (vol 2) Register of dates of birth of graduates Vols.I-III 1881-1915
Summary
Merbai Ardesir Vakil
Born 23 May 1870.
Died 1941.
GU Degree: MB CM, 1897; Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences,
University Link: Alumnus, Graduate
Occupation categories: physicians
Additional Information: R3/1/1 (vol 2)
English snippet: The first female Indian graduate of the University of Glasgow Record last updated: 4th Apr 2017
University Connections
University Roles
- Alumnus
- Graduate [View Merbai Ardesir Vakil's record in the list of graduates]
