Episode
She gave her son smallpox. Her bet paid off.
- Podcast
- No One Saw It Coming
- Published
- Apr 5, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 1546
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/no-one-saw-it-coming/smallpox-vaccine/106463630
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Summary
It was one of the deadliest diseases known to humankind. And just 50 years ago it was officially eradicated. But there’s someone missing from the story of smallpox. A woman whose work was mocked. Who was branded a bad mother. And who helped bring inoculation to the West. Author Jo Willett tells Marc Fennell (Stuff The British Stole) about how an 18th-century noblewoman ignited a moral panic, split the scientific establishment and helped spark a medical revolution. Binge all the episodes of No One Saw It Coming now on ABC listen (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. Get in touch: Got a story for us? We'd love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]