Florence Nightingale brought back to life

25 March 2004

The Wellcome Library has worked with the British Library to restore a previously unknown recording of Florence Nightingale made on a wax cylinder.

The recording, of Nightingale’s famous speech in support of the Light Brigade Relief Fund, was made in response to a public scandal that erupted in May 1890. It was discovered that many veterans of the charge of the Light Brigade were destitute, but the Secretary for War stated in Parliament that he could not offer assistance.

The St. James’s Gazette therefore set up the Light Brigade Relief Fund and, in support, Colonel Gouraud, Edison’s representative in Britain, arranged to make three sound recordings:

• Alfred Lloyd Tennyson reading The Charge of the Light Brigade on 15 May 1890

• Martin Lanfried, trumpeter and veteran, sounding the charge as heard at Balaclava, on 2 August 1890

• Florence Nightingale, delivering a message to the veterans, recorded on 30 July 1890 at her home on 10 South Street, Park Lane, London

The Wellcome Library’s original wax cylinder features two recordings made by Nightingale reading the same speech. The second reading was first produced commercially in 1935 on a 78rpm disc but it did not feature her first attempt where she stumbles on her words and there is a long pause between the sentences.

“When I am no longer even a memory, just a name, I hope my voice may perpetuate the great work of my life. God bless my dear old comrades of Balaclava and bring them safe to shore. Florence Nightingale.”

The wax cylinder is extremely fragile and each time it is played the recording becomes even more indistinct. The British Library Sound Archive technical team has now restored the recording and made it audible, using digital technology. The original will be preserved by the British Library, which has also featured it on its recently published Voices of History CD.

Listen to Florence Nightingale’s voice.