We are immensely proud to celebrate our alumna, Diana Beck, who made history as Britain’s first female neurosurgeon, recently honoured with a blue plaque 99 years after she became a doctor.
The English Heritage plaque was unveiled at her former home and consulting rooms in Marylebone, where she lived from 1948 to 1954. During her time at Middlesex Hospital, she was its very first neurosurgeon and established a pioneering neurosurgical department.
Diana was a trailblazer, she was among the first female neurosurgeons in the world, and she held the distinction of being the first woman appointed to a senior clinical position at any major London teaching hospital. Her remarkable contributions advanced both her field and the cause of women in medicine, breaking through barriers in a male-dominated profession.
A distinguished surgeon, educator, and researcher, Diana played a pivotal role in establishing neurosurgery in the UK, overcoming the sociocultural hurdles of the early twentieth century. As a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, her extraordinary career included a high-profile lifesaving procedure on Alan Alexander Milne, the author of Winnie the Pooh, following a stroke in 1952. You can read more about her incredible career here.
We are proud to note that Diana attended The Queen’s School before pursuing her medical degree at the London School of Medicine for Women, based at the Royal Free Hospital.
Headmistress Joanne Keville shared these heartfelt words: “Though we are not able to be with you in person today, we are truly honoured to have our hearts and thoughts present as we celebrate the life and legacy of an extraordinary woman—Diana Beck, a distinguished alumna of The Queen's School. On behalf of the entire Queen's School community, we send our deepest admiration and respect. We also want to thank English Heritage for recognising her contribution to science.
“Diana Beck was, in every sense, a pioneer. As the first female neurosurgeon, she broke through barriers that seemed unmovable, not just with her skill and intellect, but with a determination that inspires us to this day. She embodied the values our school instils in its students—a love of learning, a drive to excel, and the courage to defy expectations.
“Diana’s life reminds us that greatness doesn’t come from where you start, but from what you make of your journey. She took the values she learned at Queen's—curiosity, compassion, and courage—and transformed them into a legacy that will continue to inspire generations of young women.
“As you unveil this blue plaque today, let it stand as a beacon of what can be achieved when talent meets tenacity, and when intellect is guided by kindness. Diana Beck will forever be a part of our school's history, and her story will continue to illuminate the path for future Queens.”
