Mary Seacole
"I trust that England will not forget one who nursed the sick, who sought out her wounded to aid and succour them, and who performed the last offices for some of her illustrious dead."
Sir William Howard Russell, War Correspondent The Times Newspaper, 1857
Image courtesy of the National Library of Jamaica
Mary Jane Grant was born in 1805 in Jamaica, to a Scottish army officer and a Creole mother who ran a boarding house in Kingston. Mary's gift for healing and her profound knowledge of herbal remedies came from her mother who practiced as a 'doctress'. In 1836 she married Edwin Seacole, godson of Admiral Nelson, who died in 1844 leaving her childless.
Travelling was Mary's passion. In 1850 she travelled to Panama to visit her brother. When a cholera epidemic struck and the American doctor fled from the scene, Mary single-handedly took over caring for the patients. Back in Jamaica, Mary looked after the victims of a yellow fever epidemic in 1853 and the British army asked her to supervise nursing services at their headquarters in Kingston.
In 1853 war broke out in the Crimea and the following year Mary travelled to London to offer her services to nurse soldiers alongside Florence Nightingale at Scutari. Despite her glowing references from senior medics in Jamaica and Panama her offer of help was rejected five times. Refusing to succumb to discrimination Mary raised the funds for her passage to the Crimea where in 1854 she set up the British Hotel. Here she provided soldiers with accommodation, food and nursing care.
Image courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery, London
She often rode out to the front line with 'baskets of medicines of her own preparation' to treat the sick and wounded of both sides on the battlefields. She acted as a surgeon as well as administering natural remedies. She became well known to the soldiers, who called her 'Mother Seacole' and even 'dear Mamma'.
The war ended suddenly in 1856, leaving Mary bankrupt. All those who admired her came to her aid, whether soldiers, generals or members of the Royal family. In 1857 a gala was held for her over four nights on the banks of the River Thames and over 80,000 people attended. The same year she published her autobiography which became an instant bestseller.
In acknowledgement of her courage and compassion during the war, she received four medals including the Crimean Medal and the Légion d'Honneur. Towards the end of her life she travelled back and forth to Jamaica and became the Princess of Wales's masseuse. She died in London in 1881 and is buried in St Mary's Roman Catholic cemetary, Kensal Green, London. She has recently been voted the Greatest Black Briton.
For more information please visit: www.maryseacole.com
