Florence Nightingale
The founder of modern nursing was a hygiene pioneer whose principles on how to improve health care still resonate today
May 12, 1820: Born into wealthy British family in Florence, Italy, and named after city 1821: Family returns to England. Educated at home, Florence excels in mathematics and science 1837: “Call from God” prompts desire to devote life to service of others 1849: Declines marriage proposal, believing her destiny lies outside wedlock 1850-51: Despite family opposition, Florence begins nursing training at religious institute in Germany 1853: Becomes superintendent at Institute for the Care of Sick Gentlewomen in London 1853: Crimean War breaks out between Russia and alliance of Turkish Ottoman Empire, France and Britain Appalling conditions in military hospitals set up in Scutari (now Üsküdar in Istanbul) reported to The Times of London by first modern war correspondent, William Howard Russell Oct 1854: After public outcry, Sidney Herbert, Secretary of State at War, appoints Nightingale to take team of 38 nurses to Scutari 1854-55: Nightingale greatly improves comfort of wounded soldiers at Selimiye Barracks, but deaths continue to rise Image of The Lady with the Lamp, checking on soldiers at night, captures public imagination and propels her to fame 1855: Discovery that barracks are built on sewer leads to thorough cleansing and improved ventilation. Death rate falls 1856: Crimean War ends. Nightingale returns to England in poor health and suffering from exhaustion 1858: With support of Queen Victoria, Nightingale establishes Royal Commission to improve army health Her statistical data result in extensive reforms Nightingale pioneers data visualization to show high proportion of deaths caused by disease (blue) as opposed to battle wounds (red) 1859: Notes on Nursing aims to teach people how best to care for sick relatives 1860: Founds nursing school at Hospital in London 1862: Establishes school for midwives at
Florence Nightingale with graduating class of nurses 1880s: Campaigns for improved medical care and public health service in India 1907: First woman to receive Order of Merit, for distinguished service 1910: Dies at age 90