WHO should be the face of the new £50 note?

With the Bank of England currently gathering nominees related to the field of science, Thackray Medical Museum in Leeds is seeking a medical marvel to nominate on behalf of Yorkshire.

Until Wednesday December 12, museum visitors will be given a token to cast their vote on which historic medical figure they want to see as the face of the new £50 note.

The Museum has shortlisted four candidates it believes have made significant contributions to medicine and deserves the coveted accolade. Visitors can place their token in one of four boxes to vote, or alternatively, they can vote on Thackray’s social channels. Nominees include: Florence Nightingale – A world-renowned manager and trainer of nurses during the Crimean War, during which she organised care for wounded soldiers. She is often referred to as ‘The Lady with the Lamp’ due to her dedication to caring for wounded soldiers through the night; Sir Alexander Fleming – A physician, microbiologist and pharmacologist who is most well known for his discovery of penicillin. He was knighted for his scientific achievements in 1944; Edith Cavell – A nurse who is celebrated for saving the lives of soldiers from both sides without discrimination and in helping around 200 allied soldiers escape from German-occupied, Belgium in WWI; Edward Jenner – A physician who was the founding pioneer of the smallpox vaccine. He is sometimes referred to as “the father of immunology.”

Nat Edwards, newly appointed CEO at Thackray Medical Museum, says: “We’re excited to find out which famous figure Yorkshire wants to see on the new £50 note. Thackray Medical Museum tells the rich scientific and medical history of Britain, and we are thrilled that some of our most notable faces will be in the running for this position with the Bank of England. We can’t wait to get the votes in and counted!”

Thackray Medical Museum is an independent museum located next to St. James’s hospital in Leeds, which aims to inspire and educate visitors and school children from around the UK and beyond through imaginative and exciting exhibitions, fun family workshops and a comprehensive schools programme.

As well as searching for the face of the £50, Thackray Medical Museum is running a fundraising campaign ‘Thackray in LEGO® Bricks’, the first of its kind in the UK. The campaign aims to raise £150,000 to recreate the Grade II listed building in miniature out of the famous bricks as part of a £4million renovation project.

To find out more or to get involved visit thackraymedicalmuseum.co.uk.