FLORENCE Nightingale, recognised by many as the founder of mordern nursing, would have celebrated her 200th birthday today.
Born in Florence in 1820, the social reformer and statistician from Embley, Hampshire, rose to prominence during the Crimean War for her role in looking after wounded soldiers.
Her legacy has stood the test of time and today, as the UK marks International Nurses' Day, her values and achievements, which are still relevant in modern society, are being praised and celebrated.
The nursing icon, buried at East Wellow, had close links to Salisbury, having exchanged a significant number of letters with the then Salisbury Infirmary.
In fact, in 1845 Florence expressed her wish to enter Salisbury Infirmary to train as a nurse. However, her family did not approve as nurses at the time tended to come from poor backgrounds.
Two years later, Florence became friends with Sidney Herbert, President of Salisbury Infirmary, who as Minister for War, managed to get her involved in the efforts to nurse soldiers in the Crimean War.
Throughtout her career, Florence continued to keep in touch with the hospital, which today is marking the special anniversary to keep her memory alive.
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