Pre-order A Short History of Ancient Rome
Pre-order our
The debut book from the Noiser Network Learn more
debut book

Play Episode

Revered as a heroine, and mythologised as ‘the Lady with the Lamp’, Florence Nightingale has gone down in history as the founder of modern nursing. She battled ill-health and the prejudices of her age to leave an indelible mark on the world, and yet her memory is laden with misconception and half-truths.

So, how did Florence Nightingale, the superintendent of a hellish incubator of disease in the Crimean War, become synonymous with kindness and compassion? Why was she one of the most celebrated figures of her age? And what did she achieve after illness cut short her nursing career?

This is a Short History Of Florence Nightingale.

A Noiser Production, hosted by John Hopkins. With thanks to Hannah Amos, the Collections Manager at the Florence Nightingale Museum in London.

Written by Edward White | Produced by Kate Simants | Assistant Producer: Nicole Edmunds | Production Assistant: Chris McDonald | Exec produced by Katrina Hughes | Sound supervisor: Tom Pink | Sound design by Oliver Sanders | Assembly edit by Dorry Macaulay, Rob Plummer | Compositions by Oliver Baines, Dorry Macaulay, Tom Pink | Mix & mastering: Cody Reynolds-Shaw | Fact check by Sean Coleman

Get every episode of Short History Of... a week early with Noiser+. You’ll also get ad-free listening, bonus material and early access to shows across the Noiser podcast network. Click the subscription banner at the top of the feed to get started. Or go to noiser.com/subscriptions

Listen to Short History Of... Florence Nightingale

Win a pair of Master & Dynamics wireless headphones

Sign up for the latest podcast news and enter a draw to win a pair of Master & Dynamics MH40 wireless headphones. Every three months, one subscriber wins!

To be entered into the prize draw you must be subscribed to receive the Noiser Monthly Newsletter. Each Promotion Period runs for 3 months – the next Promotion Period closes on 7th December 2025. If you are validly subscribed to receive the Noiser Monthly Newsletter at the end of any Promotion Period you will be automatically entered into the draw for that Promotion Period. 1 x single pair of Master & Dynamics MH40 wireless headphones to be won (or Amazon Voucher) in each Promotion Period. Max 1x entry per person per Promotion Period. Full Terms & Conditions. Promoter: Noiser Ltd, 71-75 Shelton Street Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London, United Kingdom, WC2H 9JQ.

Subscribe to Noiser+ to unlock this show and many others

Choose a podcast player:

When you subscribe to new episodes will be downloaded to your podcast player for free.

Step Two

Click the follow button on the player show page.

Remember you can always listen to your favourite Noiser podcasts on this website.