Florence Nightingale is remembered in history for the part she played in nursing wounded soldiers during the Crimean War and is often credited as the founder of modern nursing.

In this brand new introduction, Lynn McDonald explores the social, political and religious factors that formed the original context of her life and writings such as her faith in a secular world, the Crimean War and the founding of a new profession, before considering how those factors affected the way she was initially received before turning to the intellectual and cultural 'afterlife' of Florence Nightingale.

Part One: The History (What do we know?) This brief historical introduction to Florence Nightingale explores the social, political and religious factors that formed the original context of her life and writings, and considers how those factors affected the way she was initially received. What was her impact on the world at the time and what were the key ideas and values connected with her?

Part Two: The Legacy (Why does it matter?) This second part explores the intellectual and cultural 'afterlife' of Florence Nightingale, and considers the ways in which her impact has lasted and been developed in different contexts by later generations. Why is she still considered important today? In what ways is her legacy contested or resisted? And what aspects of her legacy are likely to continue to influence the world in the future?

The book has a brief chronology at the front plus a list of further reading at the back.