Discover the person behind the legend.

Florence Nightingale was a gifted and complex woman who became a legend in her own lifetime. This illustrated talk will attempt to portray and explain her background, her motives and her struggle to lead an independent life, her rise to fame as “the lady with the lamp” and her success in public health reforms.

Elizabeth Gaskell was a friend of Florence’s sister, Parthenope, who painted the picture of Florence that we have in the Drawing Room at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House and gave it to Elizabeth. Anthony Burton will be giving a short talk about this picture before the main talk and there will also be the opportunity to have a look at our new exhibition “My Dear Mr Ruskin…” Friendship, Inspiration and Scandal.

Aled Jones is a retired Consultant Pathologist who has been a life member of the Friends of Florence Nightingale Museum and is a member of the archive centre. The museum was opened in 1990 and is situated on the campus of St. Thomas’s Medical School in London.

Doors open at 6.15 for supper (vegetable chilli) or the short talk in the Drawing Room and viewing the Ruskin exhibition; and the Tea Room will be open for refreshments.

Talk 7.30 to 8.30pm.

Tickets: £8.50 talk only/£16.50 talk with vegetable chilli supper.