Cora Belle Brewster

Cora Belle Brewster (1859 – July 25, 1937) was an American physician, surgeon, medical writer, and editor. She worked as a gynecological surgeon and co-founded two medical journals with her sister, Flora Alzora Brewster, M.D.

Early life and education

Cora Belle Brewster was born in Almond, New York, September 6, 1859. She was the third daughter of Ephraim J. Brewster (d. 1868) and Mary Burdick Brewster. Mary Brewster was a member of the Seventh Day Baptists.

On the paternal side of her family, Brewster was descended from the Campbells of Scotland, hence a mixture of English and Scotch heritage. She was a lineal descendant of Elder William Brewster, chief of the Pilgrim Fathers. Her lineage was traceable into English history before the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers.

While in preparatory school, Brewster was known by her middle name, "Belle." She was educated partly at Alfred University, where she studied for five years.

Early career and medical school Brewster left school and worked as a teacher for several years, including at the high school in Smethport, Pennsylvania.

In 1877, Brewster moved to Chicago and took a special course in the Northwestern University. After leaving school, she began working as purchasing agent for a large millinery in Chicago.After three years in Chicago, she fell ill and moved to Baltimore, Maryland. There, her health improved, and she began to study of medicine.

Brewster graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Boston in May, 1886. During her course of study, she spent eighteen months working in Bellevue Hospital in New York City. She then went to Paris, France and finished her studies. She was a member of the Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church. In 1903, Christiana Burrlls sued Cora Brewster in the Superior Court to recover damages for injuries allegedly sustained while engaged in carrying coal from Dr. Brewster's cellar. In 1905, Cora and Flora each had a servant arrested on charge of larceny. In 1906, Cora Brewster was charged with striking a child in her employ and fined .

Cora Belle Brewster died July 25, 1937, at Dover, New Jersey of chronic myocarditis.

Selected works Family Health Journal Homeopathic Advocate and Health Journal