Nightingale, Florence

Abstract

Born on May 12, 1820, in Florence, Italy, to a wealthy British family, Nightingale received an advanced and classical education and was expected to use that education as a way to attract a suitable husband. In 1837, however, she claimed that God had spoken her saying that she had a mission; thinking this mission was related to health, Nightingale dedicated herself to learning how to care for the sick. Returning to Britain from Kaiserswerth in 1853, Nightingale took a position at London's Harley Street nursing home, where she made radical reforms in the care of the sick. Hearing about the appalling conditions of sick and injured British troops, Nightingale organized a unit of 38 female nurses and traveled to Scutari, Turkey. A testimonial fund was collected for her services in the Crimea, and in 1860 she used the money to establish the Nightingale School and Home for nurse training at St. Thomas Hospital in London.