The year is 1865. Dr. James Barry lies dying in rented lodgings in London. He is attended by his manservant, an African who has accompanied the doctor for forty years. Dr. Barry rose through the ranks as an army surgeon to eventually reach the highest position in his profession: that of Inspector General. His secret is still not known. At a time when women were barred from medical school, Dr. Barry is either a woman or an intersexed person. Who was Barry's manservant, unmentioned by history? What did this relationship mean to Barry? To the manservant? These two travelled the world with the British Army. They lived in an era of social, scientific, and technological change. The British Empire was expanding. Dr. Barry and his servant swam in dangerous waters and were dependent on one another. Both were outsiders.
