Florence Nightingale and the Health of the Raj

In Florence Nightingale and the Health of the Raj, Jharna Gourlay covers aspects of Florence Nightingale's work, tracing her political involvement and her growing awareness of Indian problems, showing how she gradually moved from an imperialist position to one advocating power sharing with Indians. Her story is also one of how a private individual without official position, moreover a woman in a patriarchal society, could influence government policy and public opinion on matters of immense importance. Based on primary sources from both Britain and India, particularly her own correspondence and articles, Florence Nightingale and the Health of the Raj tells Florence Nightingale's story through her own words, whilst simultaneously placing it in the wider historical context. As such it will prove a fascinating and illuminating study for a wide range of scholars interested in nineteenth century imperialist, medical, gender and social history.

Dr Jharna Gourlay, educated in Calcutta and London, was a lecturer in philosophy in the University of Lucknow. Later she joined the BBC External Services as a producer. She also worked for BBC Radio Leicester, English by Radio and Television, and Lambeth Education. At present she is researching the contribution of British women towards female medical education in 19th Century India.