Members of the Rathbone family have been involved continuously with the Queen’s Nursing Insitute since its foundation. William Rathbone VI (1819-1902), the founder of district nursing, was a Vice-President, a joint Honorary Treasurer and the first Honorary Secretary of Council. He continued to be the driving force of the Institute until his death.
His niece, Rosalind Paget (1855-1948), was appointed to be the first Inspector General of the Institute in 1890 and played a major part in setting and maintaining nursing standards through training. She remained on the Council of the Institute until 1946.