Ann Newby

Ann Newby (2 September 1738 – March 1813) was a midwife and matron of the City of London Lying-In Hospital for more than 40 years. She was awarded a medal from the Royal Humane Society for saving the lives of hundreds of newborn babies.

Career Ann Newby was assistant matron of the City of London Lying-In Hospital from 1769 and was made matron of the hospital on 3 November 1773, when the hospital received its license. Newby was one of the officers elected for life to the board of the hospital. She was the only woman.

Newby introduced a charity subscription from 1801 to help support patients leaving hospital with clothes, bedding, money or transportation. Personal life Ann Hobbs was born in September 1739 to Thomas and Ann Hobbs. She married John Newby, attorney at law from Holborn, in 1758.They had children including Charles (born 1760) Thomas (1767) and Sarah (1771).

Death and legacy Newby died in March 1813, aged 74, having been matron and midwife for 44 years and only recently retired. She left 2 guineas to assistant matron Catherine Widgeon and 100 guineas to the hospital.