Ethel Vaughan-Sawyer

Ethel May Vaughan-Sawyer (6 July 1868 – 9 March 1949) was a British gynaecological surgeon. She was described by pioneering physician and feminist Louisa Garrett Anderson as "100 times better at her work than I am".

Life Ethel May Vaughan was born on 6 July 1868 in Derby, the oldest of eight children born to Cedric Vaughan and Jane Ellen Ridley. Petronella Grace, a designer and illustrator, died in 1931 at the age of 22.

Medical career In 1897, Vaughan became assistant medical officer to Camberwell Infirmary. Vaughan-Sawyer also retained a private practice in Harley Street, and was actively involved in both the Royal Society of Medicine's obstetric and gynaecological division, and the Association of Registered Medical Women.

Vaughan-Sawyer remained at the Royal Free Hospital until 1926, when her eyesight began to fail and she retired from her post. Her obituary in the same paper remembered her as "for many years a noted gynaecologist and obstetrician". An obituary was also published the British Medical Journal.

Ethel Vaughan-Sawyer's case notes are held by the London Metropolitan Archives.