American Medical Biographies/Bodley, Rachel L.
Bodley, Rachel L. (1831–1888)
Pioneer in the professional education of women, Rachel Bodley, eldest daughter of Anthony R. Bodley and Rebecca W. Talbot Bodley, was born in Cincinnati December 7, 1831, of Scotch-Irish and Quaker English strain. Deep religious principles were her birthright. Her mother's private school and the Wesleyan Female College completed her early education and in 1860 she entered the Polytechnic College of Philadelphia for a special course in chemistry and physics; in 1862 she returned to Cincinnati and accepted a professorship of natural sciences in the Cincinnati Female Seminary. While there she mounted and catalogued an extensive herbarium of native and foreign plants, the gift of Joseph Clark to the seminary, a work of considerable magnitude. In 1865 the Woman's Medical College of Philadelphia appointed her to the chair of chemistry and toxicology, and she was elected dean of the faculty in 1874 and held both positions to the time of her death. In 1879, as a further tribute, the honorary M. D. was conferred by the Woman's Medical College. With Ann Preston, Rachel Bodley shares the distinction of guiding to successful issues this medical college for women. Ann Preston waged the battle for its existence, Rachel Bodley steadily and comprehensively developed it.
In medical missionary work her religious zeal found fullest expression, and help and sympathy were always readily given. Dean Bodley undertook the business affairs connected with the publication of Pundita Ramabai's book, "The High Caste Hindoo Woman," also an introduction to it. Her correspondence was world-wide and brought her in touch with the illustrious minds of many lands.
In 1880 she delivered a series of lectures before the Franklin Institute, of which she was a member, her topic being "Household Chemistry," but suddenly in the midst of her activities Dean Bodley died of heart failure.
The following list of memberships and dignities speak eloquently of her attainments.
1864, Corresponding member, State Historical Society of Wisconsin; 1871, member, Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences; 1871, Degree of Artium Magister conferred by her Cincinnati alma mater; 1876, corresponding member, New York Academy of Sciences; 1876, a member, American Chemical Society of New York City.