Cavell, Edith (Louisa) (1865-1915)

English nurse. As matron of a Red Cross hospital in Brussels, Belgium, in World War I, she helped Allied soldiers escape to the Dutch frontier. She was court-martialled by the Germans and condemned to death. The British government made much propaganda from her heroism and execution, which was cited as an example of German atrocities.

Cavell was born at Swardeston, Norfolk. She trained as a nurse at the London Hospital, and was appointed first matron of the Berkendael Institute in Brussels.