Description
The Autobiography of Elizabeth Davis, a Balaclava Nurse... London: Hurst and Blackett, 1857. 2 volumes, first edition, 8vo, portrait, 24pp. of adverts, original brown cloth with gilt lettering to spines, bookplates of Sir Joseph Radcliffe, Rudding Park, some spotting throughout, covers rubbed, joints weak (2)
Footnote
Note: Elizabeth Davis, née Betsi Cadwaladr, 1789-1860, was a Welsh Crimean war nurse, working alongside Florence Nightingale. In her early 30s, she travelled as a ship's captain's maid, visiting South America, Africa and Australia. After reading about the suffering of soldiers at the Battle of the Alma, Davis trained as a nurse at Guy's hospital in London. Davis joined the military nursing service at the age of 65 and was posted to a hospital run by Florence Nightingale in Scutari, Turkey. However, Davis and Nightingale clashed to such an extent that Davis moved to a hospital closer to the front line in Balaclava. Davis had a considerable influence upon how this hospital was run, her efforts finally being acknowledged by Nightingale.