Florence the Woman
Geneva Cross awarded to Florence Nightingale, 1870-1871
Display No. 168
Nightingale was awarded this Red Cross medal despite the fact she had some doubts about this organisation.
When the idea of the Red Cross was first being discussed in the 1860s, Nightingale expressed the view that national governments should care for their war casualties, and leaving this to volunteers or charities was an abdication of responsibility. However, once the Red Cross movement started to gain momentum, she supported them in a limited way.
Image courtesy of the National Army Museum, London.
Exhibits from ‘Florence the Woman’
Discover the 200 Exhibits
Nightingale is respected worldwide for her pioneering role in developing the nursing profession, her statistical work, and her evidence-based approach to healthcare. In honour of her bicentenary the World Health Organisation have named 2020 the Year of the Nurse and Midwife.
In our special exhibition, you will find out about objects, people and places which tell interesting stories about Florence’s life and legacy. You’ll discover artefacts from her life, people she both inspired and challenged, and places she helped to shape. There’s many more insights too!
Please click on the different sections of her famous coxcomb diagram to explore various aspects of her life and legacy. We hope you enjoy exploring!