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Agnes Thomson
PLAQUE071
PLAQUE071

Agnes Thomson

PLAQUE071
Dedicatee (Brechin, 1880 - 1952)
Funder (Aberdeen, Scotland)
DescriptionDR AGNES BV THOMSON 1880 - 1952 GENERAL PRACTITIONER, ANAESTHETIST AND FOUNDER MEMBER OF ABERDEEN MOTHER AND BABY HOME WORKED HERE 1929 - 1946

HistoryAgnes Thomson (nee Baxter) was born in Brechin 13 May 1880. She was Dux of Brechin High School and was one of the first women at Aberdeen University to graduate in arts, medicine and science M.A., 1902; B.Sc, 1905; M.B., 1907. Thomson was awarded the Fife Jamieson Medal for serving as Medical Officer during World War One and was appointed as Anaesthetist and Lecturer at Aberdeen Sick Children’s and Maternity Hospital situated at Castle Terrace, Aberdeen 1916 - 1919.

Thomson was instrumental in founding the Aberdeen Mother and Baby Home, as she was aware of the desperate need for a home for unmarried mothers in Aberdeen. She also volunteered her services to the Mother and Child Welfare Association, which was established to address the high death rate of babies and toddlers in the east end of Aberdeen.

In 1925 Aberdeen Children’s Shelter was opened on the first floor at 38 Castle Street, Aberdeen. This was set up to care for children whose mothers were ill or in hospital. It also provided care for lost children until reclaimed. The local paper Evening Express raised £2400 through an appeal to convert and equip the premises. 1,278 children that were cared for in the first 18 months. Homeless mothers and children on remand from the courts were also accommodated.

Thomson worked tirelessly campaigning and writing letters to the council appealing for better housing being fully aware many of her patients were living in slum conditions and that this was unacceptable for their health and wellbeing.

Thomson was Chairman of Aberdeen branch of the Women Association and in April 1945, and was elected president of the Scottish Council of Women Citizens’ Association.
Location Info13, Albert Street