Florence Nightingale (1820-1910) is regarded as the founder of modern nursing. She was born in Florence in 1820, the daughter of William Edward Nightingale (1794-1874) and Frances Nightingale nee Smith (1789-1880). The family was wealthy, and owned properties including Derbyshire estates, and a home at Lea Hurst in Derbyshire where they regularly spent the summer.