Florence Nightingale's Family: Siblings and Background

Florence Nightingale was the younger of two daughters born to William Edward Nightingale and Frances Smith. Her older sister, Parthenope Nightingale (later Lady Verney), was born in 1819, and Florence followed in 1820. The sisters were close, though Parthenope initially opposed Florence's nursing career. Florence had no brothers.

The Nightingale family was wealthy and well-connected, providing Florence with education and social opportunities unusual for women of her era.