Alice Isaacson was born in Ireland on October 2, 1874. She received her nursing training at St. Luke's, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and completed graduate work at the Chicago Lying-In Hospital.

Alice served with the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC), before reporting to the Canadian Army Medical Corps (CAMC) on August 29, 1916. Beginning in September 1916, she served in England and France with the No. 2 Canadian General Hospital.

The Library and Archives Canada fonds contain two of Alice Isaacson's diaries, documenting the years 1917 and 1918. The diaries give insight into Alice's work and the social activities she experienced during these two years. Throughout these two diaries, Alice closely follows the developments of the war and often mentions different military advancements and how they affect the hospital. Her interest in American involvement in the war is also well documented. Alice writes beautiful and detailed descriptions of her travels and what she sees.