Emily Margaret Cummins
Emily 'Margaret' Cummins, R.R.C. was a nursing leader and was matron of the Liverpool Royal Infirmary, from 1911 until 1924. In 1924 Cummins arranged what is thought to be the first annual nurses service in England to coincide with the anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale. Cummins was involved in the formation and development of professional nursing and the College of Nursing.
Early life
Cummins was born in Lewisham in 1866. She was the eldest child of two born to William John Lawrence Cummins, a Major in the army and engineer at Woolwich, and his wife Emily. Her mother was an innkeeper in 1891, and ran the Royal Oak public house in Milbourn St Andrew, near Blandford in Dorset. Cummins lived at home until she commenced training aged 28 years old.Career
Cummins trained as a nurse at The London Hospital under Eva Luckes between 1895-1897. After Cummins completed her training she worked there as a staff nurse for 15 months. In 1898 she was recommended as a sister to Anna Baillie, a former Londoner, and the matron of the Royal Infirmary, Bristol. Shortly after moving to Bristol she was appointed Assistant Matron. Whilst in Bristol she undertook a session as a Lecturer on Nursing for the Merchants Venturers Technical College, Bristol.In 1903 she was appointed as matron of Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle. She stayed there until 1911 when she was appointed as matron of Liverpool Royal Infirmary. Cummins was regarded as being a 'very progressive' matron. Whilst there she oversaw development of a four year training programme for nurses, new accommodation for nurses, and better recreational facilities for nurses including a tennis court.
She was first president of the Liverpool College of Nursing Centre, one of the earliest regional centres of the College of Nursing. She was on the Council of the College of Nursing from 1919-1924. Cummins was also on the committee of the Association of Hospital Matrons. She was Chairman of the Liverpool and Cheshire groups of the Matrons Association.