Stopping on her way to help in the birth of the _first_ true “Woman’s Hospital” in the history of the world (the New York Infirmary for Women and Children), to develop the short-lived _second_ (Clinical Department of the New England Female Medical College), and to assist in the conception of the _third_ (the Woman’s Hospital of Philadelphia), her life reached its fullest expression in the evolution of the _fourth_ (the New England Hospital for Women and Children). Thus in no ordinary sense do the life and personality of Doctor Zakrzewska endure in America, and especially in Boston. Thence the inspiration of her life has extended throughout New England; throughout the United States; back across the Atlantic to Europe; and across the Pacific to the Orient. Is there, then, any part of the earth reached by educated medical women where her living spirit does not penetrate, that unconquerable spirit made manifest through her unchanging ideal--reasoned human standards for women as for men. It is a common habit of our people to abbreviate long or unfamiliar words and the American populace so generally declined to apply itself to the complete pronunciation of the word _Zakrzewska_ that the name was characteristically shortened to the first syllable. Hence, “Doctor Zak” became the more familiar title, first of convenience and then of that personal and unceremonious aptitude for appropriation which we as a people display toward those whom we regard with admiration and affection. The material for this biography was given to the editor by Dr. Zakrzewska to prepare for publication with what might be called one condition, and this has now been fulfilled. Circumstances which the editor could not control, and which it is unnecessary to discuss here, have delayed its appearance until now. The earlier chapters are autobiographical and most of them were written in the form of a letter to Miss Mary L. Booth, of New York, and were published in 1860 by Mrs. Caroline H. Dall under the title of “A Practical Illustration of ‘Woman’s Right to Labor’; or A Letter from Marie E. Zakrzewska, M.D., late of Berlin, Prussia.” Finally, the editor desires to express her appreciation of the assistance rendered by Miss Anne Sullivan, her secretary and synergetic critic. AGNES C. VIETOR CONTENTS PART I (1829-1862) CHAPTER PAGE BERLIN FOREWORD ix-xi I. Some recollections of childhood 3-7 II. School life begins 8-15 III. First knowledge of hospitals and reading of medical books 16-19 IV. School life ends 20-25 V. Learns all details of household work; then spends most of her time reading in her father’s library; drifts into assisting her mother, who has become a trained midwife 26-34