Doris Odlum

Doris Maude Odlum (26 June 1890 – 14 October 1985) was an English psychiatrist. She helped to establish psychiatric departments at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Bournemouth and the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hospital. She served on the psychological medicine group of the British Medical Association for 45 years.

Early life and education Doris Odlum was born on 26 June 1890 in Folkestone, Kent, to Walter Edward Odlum and Maude Gough, both hoteliers. She attended Talbot Heath School in Bournemouth and read classics at St Hilda's College, Oxford. After graduating in 1912, she lectured for the Workers' Educational Association and campaigned for women's suffrage and pacifism. She moved to London in 1914 and received a BA from London University in 1914 and a diploma in education in 1915. She was elected vice president of the Medical Women's International Association in 1929 and 1950–54; vice president of the National Medical Women's Association in 1946–50; president of the Medical Women's Federation in 1950–52; and president of the European League for Mental Hygiene in 1953–56. She was a member of the Eugenics Education Society from 1931 to 1957. Odlum was made a fellow of the BMA in 1958, a foundation fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 1971, and an honorary fellow of St Hilda's College in 1980. Odlum was a Soroptimist and a member of SI Bournemouth. Odlum was interested in tennis, swimming, rowing, and golf. In 1916, she stroked the first women's eight race ever rowed. In 1919 she was reserve in the British National Fencing Championships.

Later life Odlum retired 1955. She spent the last 37 years of her life with her partner, Zoe Jarret, an artist. She died of a heart attack at the age of 95 on 14 October 1985 in Bournemouth.