FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE

History
Florence Nightingale (1820-1910), known as “The Lady With the Lamp,” was a British
nurse, social reformer and statistician best known as the founder of modern nursing.

1820
EVENT 1
Florence Nightingale was born
on May 12, 1820, in Florence,
Italy to Frances Nightingale and
William Shore Nightingale.

1837
EVENT 2
Whilst in the gardens of her family
home in Embley, Hampshire, Florence
heard the voice of God calling her to
do his work, but at this time had no
idea what the work would be.

1851-1853
EVENT 3
Florence returns to Kaiserswerth for
three months nursing training which
then enabled her to take up post as
Superintendent of the Establishment
for Gentlewomen during illnesses at
number one Harley Street in 1853

MARCH 1854
EVENT 4
Britain, France and Turkey declare
war on Russia. British medical
facilities for the wounded are
criticised by The Times. Florence
recruited to oversee the introduction
of female nurses into the military
hospitals in Turkey.

NOVEMBER 1854
EVENT 5
Florence arrives in Scutari – a
suburb on the Asian side of
Constantinople – with 38 nurses.
She also wrote home on behalf of
the soldiers and acted as banker –
sending the men’s wages home to
their families.
 1855
Mary Seacole funds her own passage to
the Crimea. She also purchases
medicines and home comforts that
would be useful for the military.
Florence and Mary meet and see much
of each other in Balaclava.

November 1855
To show the nation’s gratitude, a public
subscription was organized to enable
Florence to continue her reform of the
civil hospitals of Britain

August 1856
Florence returned from the Crimean
War, four months after the peace treaty
was signed, and she hid herself away
from the public’s attention.

November 1856
Florence took a hotel room in London
which became the centre for the
campaign for a Royal Commission to
investigate the health of the British
Army.
 1860
EVENT 10
For her contribution to Army
statistics and comparative hospital
statistics in 1860 Florence became
the first woman to be elected a fellow
of the Statistical Society.

1872
EVENT 11
Florence devotes closer attention to
the organization of the Nightingale
Training School and she wrote a
letter to the students giving advice
and encouragement.

1883
EVENT 12
In recognition of Florence’s hard
work, she received the Royal Red
Cross from Queen Victoria

1907
EVENT 13
Florence receives the Order of
Merit – becoming the first woman to
receive it

AUGUST 13, 1910

EVENT 14
Florence dies at her home at 10
South Street, Mayfair, in the West
End of London and was buried at St
Margaret’s East Wellow, near her
parent’s home, Embley Park in
Hampshire.