Who was the most famous nurse anesthetist of the 19th century?

• A. Agnes McGee
• B. Alice Magaw
• C. Helen Lamb
• D. Mary Cartwright

Answer: (B)

Alice Magaw is recognized for shaping nurse anesthesia in its early, formative days. She earned lasting fame by administering thousands of anesthesia cases in the late 19th century and by keeping meticulous, systematic records of each procedure—the depth of anesthesia, vital signs, dosing, and outcomes. This level of documentation and the sheer volume of experience helped establish reliable standards for how anesthesia was given, monitored, and recovered from, which in turn influenced training and practice for generations of nurse anesthetists. Because of these pioneering contributions, she is commonly known as the Mother of Anesthesia, making her the best-known figure among 19th‑century nurse anesthetists. The other names did not achieve the same iconic impact in that era.