Dr James Barry, caricature, 1845-1855

Dr James Barry MD (1785-1865) / [c1850]. Drawing, pencil and wash, col.; 31x22cm. Portrait, FL in uniform. Army surgeon who lived as a man, found to have been a woman after death. Legend on the reverse reads 'painted by an officer of the Buffs'.

Dr James Miranda Stuart Barry (1799-1865) had a successful career as an army medical officer, posted to a range of British colonies. On death it was revealed that James had been born a woman but lived and dressed as a man. It is now believed that Barry was originally known as Margaret Ann Bulkley and had assumed a male guise in order to receive medical training at a time when women were effectively barred from pursuing such a career.

Barry had shown an early talent for medicine and began studying at the age of ten, receiving an MD (Doctor of Medicine degree) in 1816. This watercolour caricature shows Barry wearing an army uniform.