Florence the Woman

The Nightingale Fund

Display No. 46

During the Crimean War, a public fund was set up to honour Florence. Over £44,000 was raised, the equivalent of £2 million today.

With this money, the Nightingale Training School for Nurses was established at St Thomas’ Hospital in 1860. Money from the fund was also used to set up a midwifery school at King’s College Hospital in London.

‘The Nightingale Fund’. Newsprint. Florence Nightingale Museum Collection

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!