In 1826, Dr. James Barry, a Royal British Army surgeon, performed the worlds first successful cesarean operation. It was one of Dr. James Barry many major medical contributions from improved hygiene standards and improved diet for patients, to promoting a plant-based treatment for syphilis and gonorrhea.

Dr. Barry retired in 1864, and died from dysentery on Jul. 25, 1865. Sophia Bishop, the charwoman who took care of the body, examined his anatomy and revealed after the funeral that Berry was a female. Berry, formerly named Margaret Ann Buckley, was the niece of James Barry, a celebrated Irish artist and professor of painting at London’s Royal Academy.