{"product_id":"in-search-of-mary-seacole-the-making-of-a-cultural-icon","title":"In Search of Mary Seacole : The Making of a Cultural Icon","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eIn Search of Mary Seacole\u003c\/em\u003e is a superb and revealing biography that explores her remarkable achievements and unique status as an icon of the 19th century, but also corrects some of the myths that have grown around her life and career.\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eHaving been raised in Jamaica and worked in Panama, Mary Seacole came to England in the 1850s and volunteered to help out during the Crimean War.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWhen her services were turned down, she financed her own expedition to Balaclava, where she earned her reputation as a nurse and for her compassion. Popularly known as 'Mother Seacole', she was the most famous Black celebrity of her generation - an extraordinary achievement in Victorian Britain. She regularly mixed with illustrious royal and military patrons and they, along with grateful war veterans, helped her recover financially when she faced bankruptcy.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eHowever, after her death in 1881, she was largely forgotten for many years. More recently, her profile has been revived and her reputation lionised, with a statue of her standing outside St. Thomas's Hospital in London and her portrait - rediscovered by the author - is now on display in the National Portrait Gallery. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eIn Search of Mary Seacole\u003c\/em\u003e is the fruit of almost twenty years of research by Helen Rappaport into her story.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe book reveals the truth about Seacole's personal life and her 'rivalry' with Florence Nightingale, along with much more besides. Often the reality proves to be even more remarkable and dramatic than the legend.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Helen Rappaport","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43260536783105,"sku":"9781398504455","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0573\/8600\/8738\/files\/websitecovertemplate-2023-08-29T122354.224.png?v=1693308245","url":"https:\/\/rarebirdsbooks.pro\/products\/in-search-of-mary-seacole-the-making-of-a-cultural-icon","provider":"Rare Birds Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}