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. Florence nightingale biography florence nightingale 1820 1910 volunteered to nurse soldiers during the crimean war nightingales analysis of mortality rates helped to improve hospital practices she also helped improve the standard and prestige of the nursing profession