Mary Seacole, Nearly Forgotten Nurse

Mary Seacole was voted the top Black Briton in 2005, but for decades, her memory was nearly forgotten. She, like Florence Nightingale, was a nurse in the Crimean War, but her style was a lot more earthy than Nightingale's. In fact, Nightingale was not at all fond of Seacole's presence, to judge by her later remarks. Mary Seacole went to the Crimea and spent her own money to establish a recovery place for British officers, because her offers to join other efforts, like Nightingale's, were refused. Might it have been the color of her skin?

• About Mary Seacole
• Mary Seacole Autobiography