Landmark Mary Seacole Statue Unveiled In London

It's astonishing that it has taken so long. But today, finally, the UK's first memorial statue for a named black woman was unveiled.

The statue honours Crimean War heroine Mary Seacole, the Jamaican-born nurse who cared for wounded British soldiers at a field hospital she independently set up in Crimea in the 19th century.

The statue fittingly stands in the garden of St Thomas' hospital on London's Southbank, and was unveiled by actress Baroness Floella Benjamin.

Seacole was named the Greatest Black Briton in a 2004 poll, but it took a 12-year campaign for the statue to come to fruition.

In that time more than £500,000 was raised in donations from thousands of supporters.

Chancellor George Osborne announced in November that £240,000 from LIBOR banking fines would be donated to the appeal to pay for installation.

Campaigners said the bronze statue, created by sculptor Martin Jennings, provides recognition of the contribution made by black and ethnic minority people throughout British history.

It is inscribed with words written in 1857 by The Times' Crimean War correspondent, Sir William Howard Russell: "I trust that England will not forget one who nursed her sick, who sought out her wounded to aid and succour them, and who performed the last offices for some of her illustrious dead."

Mary Seacole became known as "Mother Seacole" and, at the time, her reputation rivalled that of Florence Nightingale.

Lord Soley, chair of the Mary Seacole Memorial Statue Appeal, said: "After 12 years of campaigning, we look forward to finally granting Mary Seacole the acknowledgement she deserves for her selfless support of British soldiers."

More than 300 guests - including Lance Corporal Johnson Beharry VC; Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, and Diane Abbott MP - attended the unveiling celebration.

Sir Hugh Taylor, chairman of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, said he was "delighted" that the hospital was hosting the statue.

He said: "This will be a fitting tribute to a woman who was a pioneer for the generations of nurses and other staff from black and minority ethnic backgrounds who have served the NHS so well over the years.

"Mary Seacole is a positive role model for the current generation of nurses and other healthcare professionals, speaking to the diversity of our local population, our patients and the staff who work here."