Florence the Woman

The London Library

Display No. 171

The London Library in St James’s Square is the world’s largest independent lending library and has been a platform where some of the most famous names in literature have come to read, write and think.

Nightingale was a member of the London Library and used to meet her friend mathematician Ada Lovelace here.

Image courtesy of Hannah Smith

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!