The Empress and the English Doctor: How Catherine the Great defied a deadly virus

In the 18th century, Catherine the Great summoned the Quaker physician Thomas Dimsdale to St. Petersburg to carry out a secret mission to promote science over superstition and vaccinate against smallpox, which had killed millions.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 16 February 2023
Publisher: Oneworld Publications

The captivating tale of a deadly virus, an all-powerful Empress, and a secret encounter that changed the course of history is revealed in this extraordinary book. Once upon a time, smallpox was a feared disease that claimed the lives of countless millions throughout human history. In the eighteenth century, as epidemics swept across Europe, whispers of an effective treatment began to circulate: a mysterious method known as inoculation. However, a significant challenge remained: persuading people to embrace the preventative remedy, which laid the foundation for vaccination. Debates raged over the risks and benefits, and public resistance soared. As smallpox ravaged her empire and threatened her court, Catherine the Great made a momentous decision. She summoned the Quaker physician Thomas Dimsdale to St. Petersburg on a secret mission that would forever alter the course of their lives. In her masterful storytelling, Lucy Ward unveils the remarkable tale of Enlightenment ideals, female leadership, and the relentless fight to promote science over superstition. This book has been shortlisted for the Pushkin House Book Prize 2022, a testament to its literary excellence. Don't miss this captivating journey into history!

Weight: 308g
Dimension: 129 x 198 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780861545186