Born: 1718 (Near Navahrudak, Grand Duchy of Lithuania)
Died: after 1763
Biography:
Salomea Halpir (1718 – after 1763) was a remarkable figure in the field of medicine and oculistry, and she holds the distinction of being considered the first female doctor from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Her life story takes us on a journey filled with determination, passion, and the breaking of societal norms.
Born near Navahrudak in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Salomea was the daughter of Joachim Rusiecki, a member of the local petty nobility. At the tender age of 14, she was married off to Dr. Jacob Halpir, a German Lutheran oculist. Their journey together led them to Constantinople, in the Ottoman Empire, where Dr. Halpir practiced medicine and gained a substantial clientele. In a fiercely competitive environment, dealing with Jewish and Muslim doctors, Salomea, despite her limited education as a Christian woman, played a pivotal role in assisting her husband and honed her medical skills.
Over time, Salomea’s passion and dedication to medicine grew, and she became a skilled physician in her own right, specializing in cataract surgery. Her status as a woman afforded her a unique niche, serving female patients who may have felt more comfortable entrusting their care to a fellow woman. Furthermore, her status as a foreigner allowed her to bypass the strict Islamic traditions that limited women’s freedom.
Salomea’s medical expertise expanded beyond her training with her husband. She never received any formal education in medicine, yet her talent and determination propelled her forward. Tragically, her husband fell ill and eventually passed away, leaving Salomea to care for their two-year-old daughter, Constance.
After this profound loss, Salomea embarked on an extensive journey across Europe. During the Austro-Russian–Turkish War (1735-1739), she purchased four Austrian prisoners of war. While three of them were later ransomed by their relatives, Salomea would not forget the fourth, ensign Pilstein. Impressed by his character and his sense of adventure, she would eventually marry him, taking on the surname Halpirowa.
Salomea’s travels brought her to Poland, where Michał Kazimierz Rybeńko Radziwiłł, a notable magnate of the time, made her husband an officer and offered her the position of doctor’s residence in Nesvizh. This opportunity solidified her place as a respected medical professional and allowed her to continue her passion for serving others.
Salomea’s indomitable spirit eventually led her to Saint Petersburg, where she played a vital role in freeing Turkish prisoners while tirelessly pursuing her medical career. Throughout her life, Salomea defied societal expectations and expressed her hunger for adventure and knowledge, challenging the 18th-century norms that dictated women should focus solely on raising children and being good wives.
Salomea Halpir’s memoir, written in 1760, remains a unique example of travel memoirs and women’s literature from that era. Through her own words, we catch a glimpse of an extraordinary woman who not only pursued her dreams but also defied conventions to leave a lasting impact on the field of medicine and society as a whole.