Jessie Handyside Gellatly was born on 7 December 1882.
Her parents were Mary Anne Cordelia Rae (1853–1936) and John Stewart Gellatly (1846–1914) of 8 Mary's Place, Stockbridge, Edinburgh.
She had several siblings, including her eldest brother, John, who died at Ypres serving in the Royal Scots in the First World War.

In 1901, she entered University of Edinburgh graduating with and MB ChB in 1906.
She initially worked at Leith Hospital and then worked for three years as a medical officer for Cadbury in Bourneville.
In 1909, she became the medical officer to Walthamstow Sanatorium, and was elected a member of the British Medical Association.
She received her doctorate (MD) in 1910 and a Diploma in Public Health (DPH) the same year.
Jessie Handyside Gellatly was born on 7 December 1882. Her parents were Mary Anne Cordelia Rae (1853–1936) and John Stewart Gellatly (1846–1914) of 8 Mary's Place, Stockbridge, Edinburgh. She had several siblings, including her eldest brother, John, who died at Ypres serving in the Royal Scots in the First World War.
In 1901, she entered University of Edinburgh graduating with and MB ChB in 1906. She initially worked at Leith Hospital and then worked for three years as a medical officer for Cadbury in Bourneville. In 1909, she became the medical officer to Walthamstow Sanatorium, and was elected a member of the British Medical Association. She received her doctorate (MD) in 1910 and a Diploma in Public Health (DPH) the same year.
Jessie Gellatly