Pioneering Fleckney Pharmacist To Be Honoured
Written by HFM News on 16th June 2022
The first woman in Britain to qualify as a pharmacist will be honoured today in Fleckney.
A green plaque is unveiled on the side of the house in Wolsey Lane, where Fanny Deacon lived and worked for over 50 years.
Fanny Deacon
Pic: Leics County Council
Her dedication helped to break barriers facing women in medicine and science, paving the way for others to enter the medical and scientific field.
Fanny, who was born in Kibworth, was the oldest registered chemist in the country when she died in 1930 aged 92.
Born in 1837, she registered as a Chemist and Druggist on 5th February 1869, having taken the Pharmaceutical Society’s examination.
Despite paying her subscription and complying with all the Society’s rules and regulations, as a woman she was not allowed to become a member of the Pharmaceutical Society until 1879.
She then worked alongside her father who was also a chemist, later opening her own pharmacy in Fleckney.
Fanny is being recognised by the Leicestershire County Council scheme, which highlights special people from the county, after being nominated for the honour by Fleckney Parish Council.
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