Hannah Amelia Wright

First International Exhibition in America Opened in Crystal Palace, New York, by Charles Cushing Wright (1796–1854)

Hannah Amelia Wright was born in New York City on August 18, 1836. She was the daughter of Charles Cushing Wright (1796–1854) and Lavinia Delliber Huguenot (died July 6, 1860). Her father was a native of Damariscotta, Maine. Her mother was born in Charleston, S. C., and was in direct lineal descent from the second settlers of that city, the Huguenots. Charles Cushing Wright was an artist of merit, an engraver, and 17 medals are currently in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Charles Cushing Wright has been called “The First American Medalist”; he did his apprenticeship with a silversmith in Utica, New York, and then opened Durand and Wright, Engravers, in partnership with Asher Brown Durand. Wright was one of the "First Fifteen" founders of the National Academy of Design.

Wright received her education at home. Until her thirteenth year she lived in Louisiana, but returned to New York in 1849.

While still a young girl, Wright decided upon an independent career. Her first effort was in writing fiction. Her stories were published, but, dissatisfied with her work in that line, she turned her attention to the study of music.

In 1860 Wright obtained a position as teacher of music in the New York Institute for the Blind. After spending eleven years in teaching in that school, she was preparing to go abroad to pursue the study of music, when she became interested in the care of the insane. She determined to study medicine, with the hope that she might render service to that unfortunate class.

In 1871 Wright entered the New York Medical College for Women and graduated in 1874. Later she was instrumental in organizing the alumni association of her alma mater, serving for several years as its secretary and afterward as its presiding officer. Shortly after graduation Wright tried for a position in one of the State asylums for the insane as assistant physician, but, after preparing herself especially for that branch of work, she was refused the position twice on the account that women were not considered eligible for such position. Eventually in 1878 Wright obtained the role of examiner in lunacy, being the first woman to be appointed in that role.

As a physician Wright was successful, establishing a large and remunerative practice. Realizing the necessity for women physicians in the field of gynecology, she devoted herself to that branch of the practice of medicine as a specialist.

In 1878 Wright was made a trustee of the New York Medical College for Women from which she was graduated. While serving as secretary of the board of trustees, she used her influence to establish women in the chairs of that college, and it was mainly through her determination and perseverance that women succeeded men as professors in that institution.

In 1882 Wright helped to found the Society for Promoting the Welfare of the Insane and for many years covered the role of president. She was a member of the Medico-Legal Society, the Woman's Legal Education Society, the State and County Homeopathic Medical Societies, and the American Obstetrical Society.

Hannah Amelia Wright died in 1924 and is buried at Warwick Cemetery, Warwick, New York.