Nightingale, Florence

Florence (1820-), an English philanthropist. She was born in Florence, Italy, of wealthy English parents. Miss Nightingale took a deep interest in suffering humanity, and trained herself in the details of hospital management. During the Crimean War she was sent by the British government with a band of thirty-eight trained nurses to relieve the sick and the wounded on the battlefield. Her work was so eminently successful and called forth so many testimonials of esteem and confidence from grateful soldiers that, on her return, the British public raised $250,000 by subscription and presented it as a recognition of her services. Miss Nightingale used the money to found a training school for nurses. See Lorence; Red Cross Society