This is a transcription of the Mary Shepard Danforth, M.D. biography from New Hampshire Women: A Collection of Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Daughters and Residents of the Granite State, Who are Worthy Representatives of their Sex in the Various Walks and Conditions of Life, The New Hampshire Publishing Co., Concord, NH, 1895, page 75.
Mary Shepard Danforth, M.D.
MARY SHEPARD DANFORTH is a native of the town of Derry, a daughter of Charles and Rebecca (Batchelder) Danforth, born May 18, 1853. She was educated in the public schools of Manchester and in Pinkerton academy, Derry, graduating from the latter institution in 1869. She commenced teaching at a very early age, and had taught twenty-one terms before she was as many years of age. Immediately after her graduation at Derry she went as a teacher to Danielsonville, Conn., where she had charge of a school of 200 pupils, and won an enviable reputation as instructor and disciplinarian. Having determined to enter the medical profession, she pursued her studies in that direction with Dr. Alfred R. Dearborn of East Weare, Dr. Isaac Hovey of Atkinson, and Dr. William Hammond of Philadelphia, Pa., and at the Woman’s Medical college of Pennsylvania, graduating from that institution March 25, 1875. In May following she commenced practice in Manchester, where she has continued with marked success, establishing a large general practice and gaining a reputation for skill and judgment which has caused her services to be sought frequently in consultation in places many miles away. She was made a member of the Manchester Medical society in April, 1877, and shortly after elected its secretary, being the first woman in America to hold such an office. At the annual meeting of the New Hampshire Medical society in June, 1878, she was admitted to membership in that organization, being the first female member, and this without application on her part. She was a delegate from the New Hampshire Medical society to the International Medical Congress at Washington, in 1884, of which the renowned Dr. Austin Flint was president, and attracted marked attention by her emphatic opposition to unlimited vivisection, which gave rise to the extended discussion of that question. Dr. Danforth is outspoken in her recognition of the kindness and courtesy ever manifested toward her by the gentlemen of her profession.