Mary Gell

Mary Gell
Born(1894-04-16)16 April 1894
Died1978(1978-00-00) (aged 83–84)
EducationUniversity of Sheffield
OccupationDoctor of medicine
Known forCo-founder of War on Want
Medical career
ProfessionMedical missionary
InstitutionsSt. Agatha's Hospital, North China

Dr Mary Prowse Gell MB, ChB (16 April 1894 – 1978)[1] was a Manx medical missionary and co-founder of War on Want.[2] She worked at St. Agatha's Hospital, Pingyin, Shandong, China, and later became an associate professor at the University Hospital, Jinan's Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.[1] After World War II, she settled in London and became Secretary to the Medical Missions Department of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel.[1]

Early life and education

Gell was the daughter of Evan Gell and Helena Prowse, who died when she was fourth and three months old respectively. Her paternal grandfather was John Gell MHK. Gell spent her early life with her maternal grandmother before being raised by her paternal uncle Dr Harry/Henry Gell at Victoria House in Peel alongside her cousin Joyce Gell. She helped her uncle at his dispensary.[3]

Gell graduated from the University of Sheffield, M.B.Ch.B., in 1922.[1]

Later life

At age 70 in 1964, Gell returned to the Isle of Man, where she settled in Ramsey.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "The University Library, Gell Documents". University of Sheffield. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  2. ^ Kelly, Dollin (2006), "Mary Gell", in Kelly, Dollin (ed.), New Manx worthies, Isle of Man: Manx Heritage Foundation, pp. 187–188, ISBN 9780954718046.
  3. ^ a b "Dr Mary Prowse Gell". New Manx Worthies. iMuseum. 2006. Retrieved 10 October 2025.