A Grand Quarrel: Elizabeth Gaskell, Florence Nightingale and the work of mothers

Published June 2025

Other people’s quarrels are interesting. This one occurred in 1854 when Florence Nightingale confronted Elizabeth Gaskell, who was staying at the Nightingale’s family home, with an original idea. She said she thought all mothers should put their babies into crèches and go out to work. She was childless whereas Gaskell had four teenage daughters.

Both women had thought deeply about their positions, and neither was prepared to change. A Grand Quarrel explores the issues at stake for them both, and then how their dispute is relevant and unresolved for mothers today.