ELIZABETH FRY (Nursing):

Born 1780, died 1845.

Elizabeth Fry was born in Norwich to a Quaker family. Her mother died when she was12 so Elizabeth, as the eldest girl, brought up her younger brothers and sisters. She was inspired by the teachings of William Savery, an American Quaker and, motivated by his words, she began to take an interest in the poor, the sick and prisoners.

She was very active in her local community, collecting clothes for the poor, visiting the sick and starting a Sunday school to teach poor children to read and write.

When Elizabeth visited Newgate Prison, she was appalled by the conditions there. The prison was overcrowded and filthy, especially in the women’s section which was packed full of women and children, some of whom had not even had a trial.

In 1816 she founded the prison school system for children who were in prison with their parents. She also taught the female prisoners to read and to sew.