Everything Everywhere Daily · Sunday, July 5, 2026
Born into a wealthy British family in 1820, Florence Nightingale received an extensive education, including mathematics and statistics, from her father. At 16, she claimed a divine calling to devote her life to nursing, a profession then considered disreputable for women of her social standing.
“Born in Florence, Italy, on May 12, 1820, Florence Nightingale was the daughter of wealthy, well-connected British parents, William Edward and Frances Nightingale.”
“Nightingale claimed to have received a call from God while at her home in Embley Park. She said that God told her her purpose in life was to devote herself to helping others, and she felt that the best way to help others was through nursing, and told her family that she believed the profession was her divine purpose.”
“Nightingale's family was opposed to her working as a nurse. The profession was viewed as inappropriate for a woman of her standing.”