Nightingale was born on may 12 1820 in florence italy the city which inspired her name the younger of two daughters nightingale was part of an affluent british clan that belonged to elite. Florence nightingale byname lady with the lamp born may 12 1820 florence italy died august 13 1910 london england british nurse statistician and social reformer who was the foundational philosopher of modern nursing nightingale was put in charge of nursing british and allied soldiers in turkey during the crimean war she spent many hours in the wards and her night rounds giving personal care to the wounded established her image as the lady with the lamp her efforts . Florence nightingale 1820 1910 known as the lady with the lamp was a british nurse social reformer and statistician best known as the founder of modern nursing her experiences as a nurse. Short bio of florence nightingale born in 1820 to a wealthy family florence was educated at home by her father she aspired to serve others in particular she wanted to become a nurse her parents were opposed to her aspirations at that time nursing was not seen as an attractive or respectable profession despite her parents disapproval florence went ahead and trained to be a nurse florence later wrote that she felt suffocated by the vanities and social expectations of her