Anna Manning Comfort
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Anna Manning Comfort, M.D. ( Manning; January 19, 1845 – January 12, 1931) was an American
physician A physician, medical practitioner (British English), medical doctor, or simply doctor is a health professional who practices medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring health through the Medical education, study, Med ...
who specialized in the treatment of women's diseases. She was the first woman medical graduate to practice in the state of
Connecticut Connecticut ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, New York (state), New York to the west, and Long Island Sound to the south. ...
. Comfort was also an activist and vocal opponent of
American imperialism U.S. imperialism or American imperialism is the expansion of political, economic, cultural, media, and military influence beyond the boundaries of the United States. Depending on the commentator, it may include imperialism through outright mi ...
. She was a leader in the
women's suffrage Women's suffrage is the women's rights, right of women to Suffrage, vote in elections. Several instances occurred in recent centuries where women were selectively given, then stripped of, the right to vote. In Sweden, conditional women's suffra ...
movement, as well as a social reformer who defended the rights of Native Americans and
African Americans African Americans, also known as Black Americans and formerly also called Afro-Americans, are an American racial and ethnic group that consists of Americans who have total or partial ancestry from any of the Black racial groups of Africa ...
. A member of
Sorosis file:Sorosis Club rules.jpg, Sorosis Club rules in 1869Sorosis was the first professional women's club in the United States. It was established in March 1868 in New York City by Jane Cunningham Croly. Origin of the club's name Sorosis is a lati ...
since 1878, Comfort was also a pioneer
clubwoman The club movement is an American women's social movement that started in the mid-19th century and spread throughout the United States. It established the idea that women had a moral duty and responsibility to transform public policy. While wome ...
.


Early life and education


Childhood

Anna Manning was born in
Trenton, New Jersey Trenton is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the county seat of Mercer County, New Jersey, Mercer County. It was the federal capital, capital of the United States from November 1 until D ...
, January 19, 1845. Her father was Alfred Curling Manning. She was a descendant of Joseph Manning, a brother of James Manning, who was the founder and first president of
Brown University Brown University is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. It is the List of colonial colleges, seventh-oldest institution of higher education in the US, founded in 1764 as the ' ...
. They came to the United States from England late in the 17th-century. Comfort's mother was Elizabeth (Price) Manning, who came of a
Philadelphia Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...
Quaker Quakers are people who belong to the Religious Society of Friends, a historically Protestant Christian set of denominations. Members refer to each other as Friends after in the Bible, and originally, others referred to them as Quakers ...
family. Comfort was of
English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Culture, language and peoples * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England * ''English'', an Amish ter ...
and
French French may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France ** French people, a nation and ethnic group ** French cuisine, cooking traditions and practices Arts and media * The French (band), ...
descent. As a child, Comfort moved with her family to
Boston, Massachusetts Boston is the capital and most populous city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. The city serves as the cultural and Financial centre, financial center of New England, a region of the Northeas ...
, where she received an academic education. There, her father directed her into a special study of the
piano A piano is a keyboard instrument that produces sound when its keys are depressed, activating an Action (music), action mechanism where hammers strike String (music), strings. Modern pianos have a row of 88 black and white keys, tuned to a c ...
, which she continued after returning to New York. By the age of sixteen, she was recognized as an unusually talented performer.


Medical Education

Comfort's aunt, physician
Clemence Sophia Harned Lozier Clemence Sophia Lozier ( Harned; December 11, 1813 — April 26, 1888) was an American physician who founded the New York Medical College and Hospital for Women. Dr. Lozier was also a noted feminist and activist, and served as president of the Ne ...
, M.D., discovered and encouraged Comfort's aptitude for medical study. In Lozier’s home, Comfort read many books on medicine; friends began to notice that her music was overstrewn with medical pamphlets. During the early
American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861May 26, 1865; also known by Names of the American Civil War, other names) was a civil war in the United States between the Union (American Civil War), Union ("the North") and the Confederate States of A ...
, Alfred Manning began experiencing financial difficulties, and he gave Comfort a week to decide whether to move with her family to New England, or to remain in New York to study medicine at Lozier's school. He gave her a week to decide. Lozier, seeing Comfort's distress and indecision, reportedly told Comfort, “You are just the type and character to make a splendid physician, Anna. Enter the first class, and tell your father that you are going to live with me while you are taking the course." At the age of 17, Comfort entered Lozier's office as a student. Lozier's hospitality brought to her house many of the leading reformers of the time, and from discussions with them, Comfort drew much of that sympathetic inspiration and breadth of view which marked her personality in later years. During the Civil War period, Comfort actively pioneered the "Woman’s Rights Movement". Comfort was a member of the first class in the
New York Medical College for Women New York Medical College (NYMC or New York Med) is a Private university, private medical school in Valhalla, New York. Founded in 1860, it is a member of the Touro University System. NYMC offers advanced degrees through its three schools: the ...
. Comfort and her fellow female students experienced rude treatment they received from some male students and professors while attending the clinics in
Bellevue Hospital Bellevue Hospital (officially NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue and formerly known as Bellevue Hospital Center) is a hospital in New York City and the oldest public hospital in the United States. One of the largest hospitals in the United States ...
. Comfort described the prejudice she experienced: In 1865, at the graduating exercises of that class, speeches were made by
Henry Ward Beecher Henry Ward Beecher (June 24, 1813 – March 8, 1887) was an American Congregationalist clergyman, social reformer, and speaker, known for his support of the Abolitionism, abolition of slavery, his emphasis on God's love, and his 1875 adultery ...
,
Horace Greeley Horace Greeley (February 3, 1811 – November 29, 1872) was an American newspaper editor and publisher who was the founder and newspaper editor, editor of the ''New-York Tribune''. Long active in politics, he served briefly as a congres ...
,
Henry Jarvis Raymond Henry Jarvis Raymond (January 24, 1820 – June 18, 1869) was an American journalist, newspaper publisher, and politician who co-founded both the Republican Party and ''The New York Times''. He was a member of the New York State Assembly, the ...
, and Hon. S. S. Cox in behalf of enlarging the sphere of woman's activities, and especially on women entering the field of medicine.


Career


Connecticut

Because her family lived in
Norwich, Connecticut Norwich ( ) is a city in New London County, Connecticut, United States. The Yantic River, Yantic, Shetucket River, Shetucket, and Quinebaug Rivers flow into the city and form its harbor, from which the Thames River (Connecticut), Thames River f ...
, after graduation in 1865, Comfort began the practice of her profession in that city. She was the first woman graduate in medicine to practice in
Connecticut Connecticut ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, New York (state), New York to the west, and Long Island Sound to the south. ...
. By her strong personality and her professional success, she soon won a large and important patronage in Norwich and eastern
Connecticut Connecticut ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, New York (state), New York to the west, and Long Island Sound to the south. ...
. But success did not come without difficulties:— By 1865, Comfort was an active supporter of
women's suffrage Women's suffrage is the women's rights, right of women to Suffrage, vote in elections. Several instances occurred in recent centuries where women were selectively given, then stripped of, the right to vote. In Sweden, conditional women's suffra ...
and of the advancement of woman in industrial and professional careers. She also advocated for the
abolition of slavery Abolitionism, or the abolitionist movement, is the political movement to end slavery and liberate enslaved individuals around the world. The first country to fully outlaw slavery was France in 1315, but it was later used in its colonies. T ...
, peace, and
dress reform Victorian dress reform was an objective of the Victorian dress reform movement (also known as the rational dress movement) of the middle and late Victorian era, led by various reformers who proposed, designed, and wore clothing considered more ...
.


New York City

In 1870, after developing a successful medical practice, succeeded to by her sister, Dr. Emily Manning Smith, Comfort returned to
New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...
to take up a practice left by the death of a cousin. She was appointed lecturer at her alma mater, New York Medical College for Women, and was elected a member of the newly-founded
Sorosis file:Sorosis Club rules.jpg, Sorosis Club rules in 1869Sorosis was the first professional women's club in the United States. It was established in March 1868 in New York City by Jane Cunningham Croly. Origin of the club's name Sorosis is a lati ...
society. At one time, Comfort had seven women members of her family practicing medicine in New York City, besides her sister, Dr. Emily Manning Smith, and her aunt, Dr. Lozier. During her time in New York, she met the
art historian Art history is the study of artistic works made throughout human history. Among other topics, it studies art’s formal qualities, its impact on societies and cultures, and how artistic styles have changed throughout history. Traditionally, the ...
George Fisk Comfort George Fisk Comfort (September 20, 1833 – May 5, 1910) was a 19th-century American scholar and art exponent, and founder of both the Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY, and Everson Museum of Art, Syracuse, NY. Biography Comfort was born in Be ...
, L.H.D., whom she married on January 19, 1871. George Comfort was a scholar in
linguistics Linguistics is the scientific study of language. The areas of linguistic analysis are syntax (rules governing the structure of sentences), semantics (meaning), Morphology (linguistics), morphology (structure of words), phonetics (speech sounds ...
and
art criticism Art criticism is the discussion or evaluation of visual art. Art critics usually criticize art in the context of aesthetics or the theory of beauty. A goal of art criticism is the pursuit of a rational basis for art appreciation but it is quest ...
, and was one of the principal founders of the
Metropolitan Museum of Art The Metropolitan Museum of Art, colloquially referred to as the Met, is an Encyclopedic museum, encyclopedic art museum in New York City. By floor area, it is the List of largest museums, third-largest museum in the world and the List of larg ...
.


Syracuse

Soon after their marriage, George Comfort was hired by the newly-founded
Syracuse University Syracuse University (informally 'Cuse or SU) is a Private university, private research university in Syracuse, New York, United States. It was established in 1870 with roots in the Methodist Episcopal Church but has been nonsectarian since 1920 ...
as a Professor of Modern Languages, History and Aesthetics. In 1872, after some deliberation, Comfort decided to leave her medical practice to move with her husband to
Syracuse, New York Syracuse ( ) is a City (New York), city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States. With a population of 148,620 and a Syracuse metropolitan area, metropolitan area of 662,057, it is the fifth-most populated city and 13 ...
, giving up her career for her husband's. After moving to Syracuse, Comfort devoted her time to the duties of a prominent professor’s wife, and to raising her three biological and two adopted children: Ralph Manning Comfort, Frederic Price Comfort, Arthur Sterling Comfort, Silas Comfort and Grace Comfort. When her children were older, Comfort resumed her medical career, specializing in
gynecology Gynaecology or gynecology (see American and British English spelling differences) is the area of medicine concerned with conditions affecting the Female reproductive system, female reproductive system. It is often paired with the field of obste ...
, and practiced for nearly thirty years thereafter. The resumption of her medical practice brought many remarks among the university people, among whom she had about an equal number of supporters and critics. In the field of gynecology, she achieved success and distinction. In 1874, Anna and George Comfort co-authored ''Women's Education and Women's Health: Chiefly in Reply to "Sex in Education."'' The work was a response to ''Sex in Education'' by Edward H. Clarke, which argued against the higher education of woman. Comfort lectured on the
League of Nations The League of Nations (LN or LoN; , SdN) was the first worldwide intergovernmental organisation whose principal mission was to maintain world peace. It was founded on 10 January 1920 by the Paris Peace Conference (1919–1920), Paris Peace ...
and contributed articles to the Peace Award Contests. She made contributions on medical subjects to the professional journals, as well many writings in prose and poetry to various publications. Since retiring from her active medical practice, Comfort wrote prose, verse, and biographies. In 1887 and 1891, Comfort traveled extensively in Europe, where she visited many important hospitals and medical institutions. In 1899, Comfort published a poem titled "Home Burdens of
Uncle Sam Uncle Sam (with the same initials as ''United States'') is a common national personification of the United States, depicting the federal government of the United States, federal government or the country as a whole. Since the early 19th centu ...
," an
anti-imperialist Anti-imperialism in political science and international relations is opposition to imperialism or neocolonialism. Anti-imperialist sentiment typically manifests as a political principle in independence struggles against intervention or influenc ...
response to "
The White Man's Burden "The White Man's Burden" (1899), by Rudyard Kipling, is a poem about the Philippine–American War (1899–1902) that exhorts the United States to assume colonial control of the Filipino people and their country.'' In "The White Man's Burden ...
" by
Rudyard Kipling Joseph Rudyard Kipling ( ; 30 December 1865 – 18 January 1936)''The Times'', (London) 18 January 1936, p. 12. was an English journalist, novelist, poet, and short-story writer. He was born in British Raj, British India, which inspired much ...
. Comfort held memberships in the New York Woman’s Medical Society; Honorary Membership in the Lozier Medical Club; and 55 years of membership in Sorosis.


Death and legacy

In 1916, the New York Medical College and Hospital for Women established an endowed
scholarship A scholarship is a form of Student financial aid, financial aid awarded to students for further education. Generally, scholarships are awarded based on a set of criteria such as academic merit, Multiculturalism, diversity and inclusion, athleti ...
named in Comfort's honor. Anna Manning Comfort died of
pneumonia Pneumonia is an Inflammation, inflammatory condition of the lung primarily affecting the small air sacs known as Pulmonary alveolus, alveoli. Symptoms typically include some combination of Cough#Classification, productive or dry cough, ches ...
, in New York, January 12, 1931.


Selected works

* ''Women's Education and Women's Health: Chiefly in Reply to "Sex in Education"'', with George Fisk Comfort (Syracuse: T.W. Dunston, 1874)


References


External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Comfort, Anna Manning 1845 births 1931 deaths Wikipedia articles incorporating text from A Woman of the Century 19th-century American physicians 20th-century American physicians 19th-century American women physicians 20th-century American women physicians People from Trenton, New Jersey New York Medical College alumni American gynecologists American suffragists Clubwomen American social reformers Deaths from pneumonia in New York (state) Physicians from New York City