So was Florence Nightingale REALLY a lesbian? Discuss...

ONE of the suggestions in the guidance is that pupils in science classes should discuss the sexuality of Florence Nightingale, left.

The advice says lessons could explore the rumoured ‘hidden lives’ of well-known scientists – including the founder of modern nursing.

It states: ‘Teachers should avoid confirming these people were LGBT as this cannot be known, even if modern sources suggest they are.’ But it adds: ‘They can discuss the reasons why these people may have felt unable to be out as LGBT (it may have been illegal at that time) if they were.’

When asked about the sexuality of the pioneer of nursing, David Green, director of the Florence Nightingale Museum in London, said: ‘There isn’t any generally accepted evidence that she was part of the LGBT community – although I’m not saying we wouldn’t be proud of her if she was.

‘It wouldn’t change what we think of her, because her achievements are amazing. But it’s not something we feel there’s any credible evidence for.

‘I do think, personally and as a historian, that there’s almost a danger in labelling people with things that they haven’t said themselves. She wrote so much but never really wrote anything about this. The bit that’s cited [as possible evidence that she was LGBT] is in a letter to her mother where she says “your vagabond son” – but when you look at the wider context, Florence scholars generally think it was just a term she was using to explain that she wasn’t going to settle down. She was always going to do what work was required.

‘There’s a lot of evidence that leans the other way and there’s not really any that suggests she was part of the LGBT community.’

The most persistent suitor of Nightingale – who died in 1910 – was an aristocratic, and male, English poet.

Mr Green said: ‘There’s more evidence leaning to the fact that she clearly did have feelings for Richard Monckton Milnes.

‘Florence – that we know of – had at least three marriage proposals and the general feeling among most people is that if she could have married Richard Monckton Milnes and been a nurse, she would have done. Certainly, her diaries imply she was very, very, tempted.

‘There’s internet theories on this. She’s so well-known, and so loved, that people will often want to capture a part of her in their story.

‘I think anyone would be proud to claim Florence as a role model.’