NIGHTINGALE (Florence, 1820-1910, Nurse and Hospital Reformer)

Fine Autograph Letter in pencil, Signed 'Florence Nightingale' to Sir James CAIRD (1837-1916, Scottish Jute Baron and Mathematician) saying that he had been "so very good as to say that you would let me know about Sir Edward Buck when you heard from him - how soon he was returning to London - how long he would be in London before returning to India ... when does he return to India? ... I want to see him & would return to London rather than miss him by a few days, if it is possible. Perhaps he is returning to India 'for 40 years'! Excuse therefore my troubling you. I trust that you & Lady Caird are well ...", 3 sides 8vo., Claydon House, Winslow, Bucks, 22nd September

Caird was one of Dundee's most successful entrepreneurs, who used the latest technology in his Ashton and Craigie Mills. He was noted for his interest in providing financial aid for scientific research. He was one of the sponsors of Sir Ernest Shackleton's ill-fated Antarctic expedition of 1914 to 1916. The ship's boat, the James Caird, in which six of Shackleton's expedition made an epic voyage of 800 nautical miles (1,500 km) from Elephant Island to South Georgia, was named in appreciation of Caird's contribution.
Sir Edward Charles BUCK (1838-1916) was a Civil Servant in Bengal.

Item Date:  1886

Stock No:  40459