Biographical Data
Florence Nightingale, also known as Lady with the Lamp, was born May 12, 1820. She was born into a wealthy British family in Florence Italy and she was named after the city she was born in. Her parents were from England but they were on their honeymoon which is why Florence was born in Italy. Her parents were William Edward Nightingale (1794–1875) and Frances Nightingale (1789–1880). She also had an older sister named Parthenope (1819-1890).
Education When Florence was about six years old she became very ill and was taken care of at home by a governess. According to one of Florence’s letters, the governess had good intentions but did not treat Florence very well and did not educate her (citation). Florence did not learn how to read and write until she was about eleven years old, which was when her father decided to educate his daughters. She learned Latin, Greek, French, Italian, history, and philosophy. She also begged her parents to let her study mathematics. Her father did not agree with this and felt that she should study subjects more appropriate for a woman. However Florence determined as she was, insisted and begged and her father gave in and allowed her to be tutored in mathematics. Florence was very eager to learn. Her parents were very proud of her and knew that she would make an excellent wife and mother. Also, because she came from a wealthy family she was not expected to work. Florence however had other plans. During this time it was customary for
References: Audain, C. "Florence Nightingale." Biographies of Women Mathematicians, June 1999. http://www.agnesscott.edu/lriddle/women/nitegale.htm, (December 2008). Baly, M.E. The Influence of Florence Nightingale. Nursing and Social Change (3rd ed.) Routledge. London, United Kingdom. Chitty, K. & Black, P. (2007). Professional Nursing: Concepts and Challenges (5th ed.) W.B. Saunders Company. Halsall, P. "Florence Nightingale on Rural Hygiene." Modern History Sourcebook. 1997. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/nightingale-rural.html, (December 2008). O’Connor, J. & Robertson, E. “Florence Nightingale Biography”. October 2003. http://www-history.mcs.st-andrews.ac.uk/Biographies/Nightingale.html. (December 2008). MacQueen, J.S. Florence Nightingale’s nursing practice. Nursing History Review, (15) 29-49. Nightingale, F. (1859). Notes on nursing: What it is, and what it is not. London: Harrison.