In the 19th century, British hospitals were dirty and unpleasant, and the nurses were untrained. Florence Nightingale changed all of this. She was the founder of modern nursing and changed how people thought of the profession. A great humanitarian, Florence saved thousands of lives during the Crimean War and was called a "minstering angel."

Florence Nightingale was born May 12, 1820, in Florence, Italy, and grew up in England. She had one sister, named Parthe, who was one year older than Florence. Her family was very rich and enjoyed going to parties and social events. By the time Florence was 12 years old, she knew that she wanted to do something more useful with her life. On her parents' estate she would care for the sick farmers and she even saved a shepherd's dog who had broken its leg.

Florence and Parthe were educated at home and were taught music, literature...