Date Published:
February 2006

L’Encyclopédie de l’histoire du Québec / The Quebec History Encyclopedia

Dr. Octavia Grace Ritchie England

(Mrs. Frank Robinson)

ENGLAND, Octavia Grace Ritchie (Mrs. Frank Richardson), B.A., C.M., M.D. - Born Montreal, 1868, daughter of Thomas Weston Ritchie and Jessie Torrance Fisher. Educated: Girls High School of Montreal; McGill University; Queen's University; Bishop's College; also studied in Glasgow, Paris and Vienna. After her return from Europe, she was appointed a Demonstrator in Anatomy at Bishop's College and Assistant Gynaecologist in the Western Hospital. After her marriage, though still consulted by many women in her private clinics, Dr. Ritchie England's time and thought were increasingly given to matters of public welfare-especially those having to do with public health and woman suffrage. A section of Health of Nations (a book published in 1906 by the International Council of Women) was her work. In 1909, she organized the section "Health and Physical Training" for the "International Congress of Women." In 1914 she was one of the nine delegates representing Canada at the International Council meeting in Rome. In 1918, as an expression of appreciation, Dr. England was presented by friends and fellow-workers with a life-patronship of the National Council of Women and a life-membership in the Canadian Red Cross. In 1922, appointed Official Canadian Delegate to Pan-American Conference of Women at Baltimore. Member, League of Nations Society. Married Frank Richardson England, M.D., 1897; has one daughter. Clubs: Women's Canadian Club, Montreal; Local Council of Women (President, 1911-17); Montreal Women's Liberal Club (President, since 1921); Provincial Vice-President, National Council of Women of Canada. Recreations: Travelling, gardening. Anglican. Residence: 126 Bishop Street, Montreal.

Source: Prominent People of the Province of Quebec, 1923-24, Montreal, Biographical Society of Canada, Limited, undated and unpaginated.