“The Cape Doctor” by E.J. Levy (Little, Brown and Co.) The Cape Doctor by E.J. Levy (Little, Brown and Co.) “She died so I might live,” begins the strange tale of Dr. Jonathan Perry. No, this is not about a woman dying in childbirth. Instead, it is the story of Margaret Brackley, who in 1809, at age 14, dons the clothes and persona of young Jonathan Perry in order to attend medical school. And she lives the rest of her life as a male. With the approval and support of her wealthy benefactor, Perry is accepted into the University of Edinburgh medical school, which, of course, was closed to women.