What would you sacrifice for a chance to chase your dream? Two hundred years ago in Ireland, penniless Margaret Bulkley shed her identity to live a big, bold, loud life as army surgeon James Barry, and took that secret (almost) to the grave. And by keeping his secret, Barry helped — even saved — suffering people across the world.
Hear this incredible story recorded on location at the Old Operating Theater Museum and Herb Garret in London with our guest, Dr. Monica A Walker.
Plan your own future visit to the Old Operating Theater Museum!
public domain
public domain
photo by Katie Nelson
photo by Katie Nelson
photo by Katie Nelson
photo by Katie Nelson
photo by Katie Nelson
photo by Katie Nelson
This map of Barry’s career was generously created for us by the fantastic designer Charlene Eldon.
Monica A. Walker
has a Ph.D. in the History of Art from Complutense University in Madrid, Spain, and she is a part-time tutor at the Department for Continuing Education at the University of Oxford. In addition, she is the Marketing, Events and Retail Manager at the Old Operating Theatre Museum & Herb Garret in London. It was here where she developed an interest in the history of medicine and the history of Old St Thomas’ Hospital. It was in the museum where she first heard the name of James Miranda Barry – since he briefly trained at Old St Thomas’ Hospital – and developed a curious interest in him.
Music featured in this episode provided by:
Aaron Kenny, Kevin MacLeod, Doug Maxwell, and Cooper Cannell
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