Florence's mother, Fanny Nightingale, also came from a staunch Unitarian family. Unlike her mother and sister, who were content to do good works on the estates, she pondered on the need for charity and the causes of poverty and unemployment." Religious ConversionĪt seventeen she felt herself to be called by God to some unnamed great cause. She suffered from bouts of depression and feelings of unworthiness, and she questioned the purpose of life for the upper classes. In spite of these advantages Florence Nightingale was an unhappy young woman. He took responsibility for her education and taught her Greek, Latin, French, German, Italian, history, philosophy and mathematics.Įlizabeth Gaskell described her as "tall, willowy in figure, with thick shortish rich brown hair, a delicate complexion, and grey eyes that are generally pensive but could be the merriest." Her biographer, Colin Matthew, has pointed out: "Florence was a good mimic, attractive to men, and had a number of suitors many of the men she met through her parents remained lifelong friends. As a child, Florence was very close to her father, who, without a son, treated her as his friend and companion. Her father was a Unitarian and a Whig who was involved in the anti-slavery movement. Florence Nightingale, the daughter of the wealthy landowner, William Nightingale of Embly Park, Hampshire, was born in Florence, Italy, on 12th May, 1820.
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