Florence Nightingale’s hair fetches over £3,500 in Leyburn

A lock of Florence Nightingale’s hair has fetched more than £3,500 at an auction in North Yorkshire.

The hair, which has been identified as belonging to a 19th century nursing pioneer, is expected to fetch between £2,000 and £3,000.

It was sold with her signature on a cut-out piece of paper.

According to auction house Tennants Auctioneers, the items sold in Leyburn were owned by descendants of Nightingale’s sister.

Auctioneer and appraiser Jody Beighton previously described the lock of hair as “a real rarity”.

Harriet Hunter-Smart of Tennants said the lock was purchased by a private buyer from the UK for £3,606.

Nightingale is considered by many to be the founder of modern nursing.

During the Crimean War she became known as the “Lady with the Lamp”.

The conflict broke out in 1853. Britain, France, Turkey and Sardinia joined forces to fight against Russia.

Nightingale was tasked with putting together a team of 38 nurses who would support soldiers in a military hospital in Turkey.

This was the first time women were allowed to serve in the military.

Upon arrival, Nightingale immediately ordered her team to clear the hospital and ensure the soldiers were properly cared for.

In 1860 she founded the Nightingale Training School at St. Thomas’ Hospital in London.

This was the first institute of its kind and employed nurses from across the UK to spread her ideas to the field.

She died in 1910 at the age of 90.