Hamilton, Alice (1869-1970), was an American physician who pioneered in industrial medicine. Her efforts led to greatly improved health conditions in industrial workplaces and to the introduction of workers’ compensation laws in the United States (see Workers’ compensation ). From 1911 to 1920, Hamilton was a special investigator for the United States Department of Labor. She inspected mines, mills, and smelting plants throughout the country and reported on the poisoning of factory workers by lead and other dangerous substances. In many cases, she personally persuaded owners of businesses to correct unsafe working conditions.
Hamilton was born on Feb. 27, 1869, in New York City and grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She graduated from the medical department of the University of Michigan in 1893. From 1897 to 1919, Hamilton lived and worked at Hull House, the famous Chicago settlement house founded by her friend Jane Addams (see Hull House ). In 1919, Hamilton became the first woman faculty member of Harvard University. She died on Sept. 22, 1970.
