Florence Nightingale, the Colossus: Was She a Feminist?

Authors

Susan HoganFollow

Abstract

Nightingale displayed a particular brand of feminism that reflected the circumstances of her era. The question of women’s involvement in healthcare is addressed through an analysis of Nightingale’s most famous work, Notes on Nursing. What it is, and what it is not (1859/60). Then other key works are scrutinised with reference to ideas about female involvement in healthcare and how she addresses the position of women in general terms. Nightingale’s works, Notes on Hospitals (1859); Suggestions for Thought to the Searchers after Truth among the Artisans of England (1860); Introductory Notes on Lying-In Institutions (1871) are focussed upon illustrating her views on women’s involvement in healthcare and answering the overarching question: was and how was she feminist?

Author Biography

Professor Susan Hogan is a feminist cultural historian and social theorist with a particular interest in women’s issues past and present. Contact: ProfSHogan@gmail.com

Recommended Citation

Hogan, Susan (2022) "Florence Nightingale, the Colossus: Was She a Feminist?," Journal of International Women's Studies: Vol. 23: Iss. 1, Article 9.
Available at: https://vc.bridgew.edu/jiws/vol23/iss1/9