Jessopp's edition of the Visitations of the Diocese of Norwich, 1492–1532 (Camden Society, 1888)—the first English monastic visitations to be printed—his text of the Life of St. William of Norwich (with Dr. M. R. James, 1896), and his reports on MSS. of the bishop and chapter of Ely, at Shadwell Court, and at Holkham House, for the Historical Manuscripts Commission (1891, 1903, 1907). He also wrote biographies of Donne (1897) and Lord Burghley (1904), of Queen Elizabeth and others for this Dictionary, besides many minor works.
Jessopp's work and record brought him popular repute, eminent friends—especially George Meredith—and, in time, academic recognition. For high preferment his name was passed over. He incorporated at Oxford (from Worcester College) and took the degree of D.D. in 1870; he was select preacher there in 1890. In 1895 his Oxford and Cambridge colleges elected him honorary fellow on the same day. In that year also he was made honorary canon in Norwich Cathedral, and in 1902 a chaplain in ordinary to the King. After the death of his wife (1905) his circumstances were much reduced, and he was granted a civil list pension. Later, his mind became affected and, having sold his library, he resigned his living in 1911, retiring to Norwich, where he died 12 February 1914.
Jessopp disclaimed the title of historian, called himself ‘a smatterer and a fumbler’, but he had some of the gifts and equipment of the best historians. Had his powers been directed to more solid historical work it would at least have redeemed his ‘exile’ at Scarning from the futility which he was wont to deplore; ‘I was burning my boats in taking a country living’, he used to say. Yet his achievement was not without merit. He called attention to much unworked material for English parochial and monastic history, and encouraged the sympathetic study of those subjects; while by many who never read his books he was remembered as one of the most stimulating head masters of his time.
[The Times, 13 February 1914; Norvicensian (Norwich School magazine), 1914; Letters of George Meredith, edited by his son, 2 vols., 1912; Cornhill Magazine, November 1921; private information. Photographic portraits of Jessopp are prefixed to his Arcady and Random Roaming (1894).]
JEX-BLAKE, SOPHIA LOUISA (1840–1912), physician, born at Hastings 21 January 1840, was the youngest daughter of Thomas Jex-Blake, of Bunwell, Norfolk, and Brighton, proctor of Doctors' Commons, by his wife, Maria Emily, youngest daughter of Thomas Cubitt, J.P., of Honing Hall, Norfolk. She was sister of Thomas William Jex-Blake [q.v.], head master of Rugby and dean of Wells. In 1858 she entered Queen's College for Women, London, as a student, and became mathematical tutor there (1859–1861). After various educational experiments she went in 1865 to the United States and worked in Boston under Dr. Lucy Sewall, with whom she formed a lifelong friendship and from whom she gained a deep conviction of the ‘incalculable blessings’ conferred on her own sex by a woman physician. In 1868 she began a regular course of medical study in New York under Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell [q.v.]. Recalled to England in 1868 by the death of her father, she began to seek for medical education at home. All avenues to the profession seemed to be closed, both by the Medical Act of 1858, which excluded from the register foreign qualifications, and by the unwillingness of medical authorities at home to teach or to examine women. After being refused by the university of London, she turned to Edinburgh, where, though her first application was refused, a second was successful. Regulations were made for the admission of women and for their instruction ‘for the profession of medicine’ in separate classes.
From this point Sophia Jex-Blake became virtually the leader of the movement to open the medical profession to all, without distinction of sex. Five women matriculated at Edinburgh in 1869 and for three sessions carried on their medical studies, though under increasing difficulties. These difficulties came to a head in 1872, and an appeal to the university court only brought the suggestion that the women students should give up their claim to graduation (the only legal passport to practice), and should receive informal ‘certificates of proficiency’. Finally, the matriculated women students, seven in all, brought an action against the university in the court of Session, claiming that the university was legally bound to enable them to complete their studies. Judgment in their favour was reversed on appeal (1873), chiefly on the ground that in admitting women to matriculation the university had acted ultra vires.
The failure seemed complete, yet it is clear that the struggle had been of great value in forming public opinion. Quite
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