in november 1870, the hall was the scene of a public riot when the first group of female medical students from the university of edinburgh attempted to sit their anatomy exam. a crowd, which included male medical students attempted to prevent them from entering the building to sit the exam. these first seven women medical students endured a campaign of abuse throughout their studies but also garnered support from colleagues and politicians. several of the edinburgh seven went on to found new hospitals and make significant contributions to improving the healthcare available to women around the world.