Margaret Barr Fulton | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Margaret Barr Fulton (1900-02-14)14 February 1900 Cheetham, Manchester, England |
| Died | 16 December 1989(1989-12-16) (aged 89) |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Occupation | occupational therapist |
| Known for | first qualified occupational therapist to work in the UK |
Margaret Barr FultonMBE (14 February 1900 – 16 December 1989) was a Scottishoccupational therapist. Fulton was the first qualified occupational therapist to work in the UK. She worked at the Aberdeen Royal Asylum (nowRoyal Cornhill Hospital) from 1925 until her retirement in 1963. Fulton was a founder of theWorld Federation of Occupational Therapists and its first president.
Fulton was born on 14 February 1900 inCheetham, Manchester, England to Dr. Andrew Boyd and Elizabeth (née Barr) Fulton. Her parents were Scottish.[1] She was the youngest of their five children. Her father was ageneral practitioner.[2] Fulton was privately educated atManchester High School for Girls.[1] After her father's death in 1919, she went on holiday to the US with her mother to visit relatives. On this holiday, she first learnt about occupational therapy, and decided to study at thePhiladelphia School of Occupational Therapy between 1922 and 1923.[1][2] After obtaining a diploma from the school, she completed a six-month placement at theMetropolitan Hospital Center inNew York City where she fostered her interest inpsychiatry.[1]
Fulton returned to the UK and attempted to find a job for seven months before psychiatristDavid Henderson, who had previously started the first occupational therapy department in the UK, arranged for her to meet Robert Dods Brown, the medical superintendent of the Aberdeen Royal Asylum (nowRoyal Cornhill Hospital).[2] Fulton was appointed in 1925, therefore becoming the first qualified occupational therapist to work in the UK.[3]
In her role, she instructed crafts lessons for patients, and in 1927 she organised an exhibition of their work, which was inaugurated by theCommissioner for Lunacy Sir Arthur Rose.[2] By 1932, fifteen therapists had been appointed in Scottish mental health hospitals, and together they created the Scottish Association of Occupational Therapy with Fulton as secretary and treasurer.[4] She went on to become elected as its chairwoman in 1946 and served on its council from 1949–1960 and 1964–1971.[2]
Fulton was a founder of theWorld Federation of Occupational Therapists in 1952 and was elected as its first president.[1][2] After the organisation held its first international congress inEdinburgh,Scotland in August 1954,[2] she received anMBE in the1955 New Year Honours for her contribution to the profession.[5]
Fulton retired in 1963. She died on 16 December 1989 in Edinburgh.[1] On 12 May 1995,Princess Anne, the patron of theRoyal College of Occupational Therapists, inaugurated the Fulton Clinic and Memorial Garden at the Royal Cornhill Hospital in recognition of her work.[2]