Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

Science Stories

Factual: Science & Nature

Surprising stories from the history of science told by Naomi Alderman and Philip Ball.

BBC Radio 4 FM

Science Stories: Series 3

Science Stories: Episode 1: Florence Nightingale: Statistician

The Engine That Nearly Ran Out of Steam

Episode 1

Episode 1: Florence Nightingale: Statistician

Florence Nightingale: Statistician

BBC Radio 4 - Science Stories, Florence Nightingale: Statistician

Naomi Alderman tells how Florence Nightingale saved lives with statistics.

Naomi Alderman tells a little-known story about a rather well-known nurse. Florence Nightingale is famous for mopping the brows of sick and wounded soldiers during the Crimean war. Generations of Nightingale Nurses are named after her. But according to her sister Parthenope: 'she was a shocking nurse'. She was the lady of the lamp but the light she cast wasn't the light of the nurse's lantern; it was the light of statistics. This is the story of Florence Nightingale, the intellectual pioneer and revered statistician.

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Science Stories

Episode 1: Florence Nightingale: Statistician

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4