Harborough district trailblazer Frances Elizabeth Deacon – the first woman in the country to qualify as a pharmacist – is to be honoured with a coveted Green Plaque award

The first woman in the country to qualify as a pharmacist is to be honoured with a coveted Green Plaque award.

Brilliant 19th century Harborough district female trailblazer Frances Elizabeth Deacon is to be saluted by Leicestershire County Council after the public voted for her to be recognised.

Born on September 17, 1837 in Kibworth Beauchamp, Frances Deacon dramatically broke new ground when she became the first woman to pass tough qualifying tests to become a pharmacist.

Popularly known as Fanny, she registered as a Chemist and Druggist on February 5, 1869 after passing the Pharmaceutical Society’s exam with flying colours.

Despite paying her subscription and complying with all the Society’s rules and regulations, as a woman Frances was not allowed to become a member of the Pharmaceutical Society until a decade later in 1879.

The mother-of-one worked alongside her father William at his chemist’s on Leicester Road, Kibworth, before going on to open her own highly-successful pharmacy in Fleckney.

When Frances, who also had three stepdaughters, died on January 15, 1930 at the age of 92, she was the oldest-registered chemist in England at that time.

Frances was put forward for the honour by Fleckney Parish Council. Thanks to everyone who voted.