Sarah Campbell Allan

Sarah Campbell Allan (December 7, 1861 - February 25, 1954) was the first female doctor in the state of South Carolina. Allan worked for the South Carolina Lunatic Asylum and was instrumental in helping women's access to medical school and advanced degrees.

Early life and education Sarah Campbell Allan was born in Charleston, SC, on December 7, 1861. She was one of eight children born to James Allan, a merchant, and Amy Hobcraft. Both her parents were immigrants to Charleston; her father was from Scotland, and her Mother was from London. Sarah Campbell Allan was their third child. Her two older siblings died young, leaving Sarah as her parents’ eldest child. Sarah Allan attended and graduated from the Charleston Female Seminary, an all-female school. Allan was issued license number 40, becoming the first female doctor in the state of South Carolina. Allan accepted and started on October 1, 1895. She also taught classes on anatomy and physiology at a nearby nursing school.

Post-work life After 11 years of service to the state, Allan moved back home to Charleston in 1907 to take care of her sick father. She never formally practiced medicine again. However, she occasionally took on a few patients. For the rest of Allan's life, she worked for charities and civic organizations, including her local Presbyterian church. She traveled and read in her free time. Sarah Campbell Allan died in her home in Charleston on February 25, 1954. Allan is buried in Magnolia Cemetery in Charleston.