Florence Nightingale

Florence Nightingale, OM (12 May 1820–13 August 1910), who came to be known as The Lady with the Lamp, was the pioneer of modern nursing. Each year, the International Nurses Day is celebrated on her birth anniversary.

Early life

Born into a wealthy and well-connected British family at the 'Villa Colombaia' in Florence, Italy, she was named after the city of her birth, as was her older sister (named Parthenope for the old city that is now Naples). A brilliant and strong-willed woman, Florence rebelled against the expected role for a woman of her status, which was to become an obedient wife.

Related Topics:
British - Florence - Italy - Naples

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Inspired by what she understood to be a divine calling (first experienced in 1837 at the age of 17 at Embley Park and later throughout her life), Nightingale made a commitment to nursing, a career with a poor reputation and filled mostly by poorer women. Traditionally, the role of nurse was handled by female "hangers-on" who followed the armies; they were equally likely to function as cooks or prostitutes. Nightingale was particularly concerned with the appalling conditions of medical care for the legions of the poor and indigent. She announced her decision to her family in 1845, evoking intense anger and distress from her family, particularly her mother.

Related Topics:
Divine - 1837 - Embley Park - Cooks - Prostitutes - 1845

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In December 1844, in response to a pauper's death in a workhouse infirmary in London that became a public scandal, Nightingale became the leading advocate for improved medical care in the infirmaries and immediately engaged the support of Charles Villiers, then president of the Poor Law Board. This led to her active role in the reform of the Poor Laws, extending far beyond the provision of medical care.

Related Topics:
December - 1844 - Workhouse - Infirmary - London - Charles Villiers - Poor Law Board - Poor Laws

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In 1846 she visited Kaiserwerth, Germany, and learned more of its pioneering hospital established by Theodor Fliedner and managed by an order of Lutheran deaconesses. She was greatly impressed by the quality of medical care and by the commitment and practices of the deaconesses.

Related Topics:
1846 - Kaiserwerth - Theodor Fliedner - Lutheran - Deaconesses

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