Description

Mary Jane Seacole (1805–1881), born in Jamaica to a Creole mother with herbalist skills. In 1855, during the Crimean War, Seacole planned to establish the "British Hotel" to provide accommodations for sick officers. However, she adapted it into a restaurant/bar/catering service due to advice from chef Alexi Soyer. This venture became highly popular and was successful throughout the war. Her memoir, "Adventures of Mrs Seacole in Many Lands" (1857), details her experiences with food and encounters with officers during this time.

Initially, she missed the first three major battles of the war as she was busy attending to her gold investments in London. She had previously provided services for prospectors heading to the California Gold Rush in Panama. Later, she assisted on the battlefield during three battles by attending to the wounded after serving refreshments to spectators.

After her death, Seacole was largely forgotten for almost a century. Her autobiography, "Wonderful Adventures of Mrs. Seacole in Many Lands" (1857), was the first autobiography written by a black woman in Britain.

Notably, Mary Seacole was honored as the first Jamaican-British woman on a Royal Mint coin.