The Surgeon, The Secret, And The System: Dr. James Barry

By Michael Webster

THE SURGEON. THE SECRET. THE SCANDAL.

Dr. James Barry was one of the most respected-and most notorious-surgeons in the British Empire. A volatile genius, he was an uncompromising pioneer who fought bureaucratic corruption, championed sanitation, and performed one of the first successful Caesarean sections in Africa where both mother and baby survived. He rose to the highest ranks of the Army Medical Department, challenging governors and dueling rivals along the way.

Yet, when Dr. Barry died in 1865, a devastating secret came to light: the decorated Inspector General was biologically female.

For fifty years, this brilliant mind lived a professional life that was impossible for a woman in the 19th century. The Surgeon, The Secret, and The System is the definitive biography that unmasks the person behind the pseudonym, revealing a life of strategic necessity, fierce dedication, and profound sacrifice. It is the story of a pioneer who changed medicine, and a mystery that rocked the British establishment. Approx.164 pages, 28900 word count

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0GL39TBRJ
• ISBN13: 9798233539138
• Release Date: December 2025
• Publisher: Michael Webster
• Length: 254 Pages
• Weight: 0.76 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.6" x 6.0"