Anna Caroline Maxwell (March 14, 1851 – January 2, 1929), often called “the American Florence Nightingale,” was a pioneering nurse who played a pivotal role in shaping professional nursing in the United States. Born in Bristol, New York, she spent part of her early years in Canada before returning to the U.S. in 1874. She began nursing without formal training but later pursued education at Boston City Hospital Training School for Nurses, inspired by Linda Richards, one of America’s first trained nurses.
Maxwell’s career was marked by leadership in nursing education. She founded and directed the nursing school at Presbyterian Hospital in New York, which later became the Columbia University School of Nursing. Her work significantly elevated the standards and recognition of nursing as a profession.
During the Spanish-American War, Maxwell led nurses in transforming dire conditions at military hospitals, an achievement that contributed to the creation of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps in 1901. She continued her efforts during World War I, preparing nurses for military service and earning France’s Médaille de l’Hygiène Publique for her contributions to public health.
Beyond her wartime efforts, Anna Caroline Maxwell co-authored Practical Nursing and helped establish influential nursing organizations, including the American Journal of Nursing. She also advocated for nurses to hold military ranks; a milestone achieved in 1920. Columbia University honored her legacy with an endowed professorship, and she was among the first women interred at Arlington National Cemetery. Though the Anna C. Maxwell Hall at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center no longer stands, her influence endures as a cornerstone of modern nursing.
