Ann Newman, a Clever Nurse and a New Woman
Introduction
Mrs Death was born Ann Newman sometime around 1835. She spent some of her early years in one of the poorest areas of London before offering her services as a nurse during the Crimean War. Ann travelled to Turkey, serving in the Civil Hospital at Renkioi and remained in the nursing profession for the rest of her working life. She was a woman ahead of her time, juggling a colourful family life with employment and living to the age of 74.
Photograph of Ann Newman, c1835-1909 wearing the sash of the Civil Hospital at Renkioi (photographed in 1908)
In a tiny room in Poplar lives Mrs Death whose services allow far more than the poor relief allowed her, for she volunteered to go to the Crimea as soon as it became known at home how splendidly useful was the work of the nurses already arrived [1].