Statistics & Evidence Based Healthcare

Harriet Martineau, 1802-1876

Display No. 14

Often referred to as the first female sociologist, Harriet Martineau wrote many books and essays from a sociological, holistic, religious, domestic and feminine perspective. This includes ‘Traditions of Palestine’ which Nightingale was given by her grandmother. Unusually for a woman in the Victorian era, Martineau earned enough from her writing to be fully financially independent. She became friends with Nightingale and they worked together on the book ‘England and her Soldiers’ in 1859.

Harriet Martineau. Wood engraving. Credit: Wellcome Collection. CC BY 4.0

Exhibits from ‘Statistician & Evidence Based Healthcare’

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!