Mary Seacole: Meet the woman honoured by Google Doodle who was voted the greatest ever black Briton
Who is Mary Seacole?
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A Google Doodle is celebrating the life of Jamaican-born nurse Mary Seacole.
Ms Seacole, who was born in 1805 and died in 1881, assisted the British army during the Crimean War, setting up a hotel for sick and wounded soldiers behind enemy lines.
In 2004, she was voted the greatest black Briton of all time.
During the conflict in Crimea, hundreds of soldiers died after contracting diseases including cholera, and the government approached Florence Nightingale to form a unit of nurses to support the diseased and injured.
Ms Seacole was refused as a volunteer nurse, and travelled to the Crimea at her own expense.
Once there she set up her hotel near Balaclava, initially building it from driftwood and scrap metal. In her memoirs she described it as a place to provide “a mess-table and comfortable quarters for sick and convalescent officers’.
Eventually, the hotel was able to provide comfortable accommodation and became a celebrated destination that was also used for theatrical performances and horse-racing events in between the battles.
According to her autobiography, she said she saw “much” of Ms Nightingale, with whom she became friendly.
After her death, Ms Seacole faded from public consciousness, but renewed interest in her life and role in 19th Century British society has seen her celebrated as an icon who fought ingrained racial prejudice.
A memorial statue was erected in her honour at St Thomas’s Hospital this year. It is thought to be the UK’s first statue built in the UK in recognition of a black woman.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments