Born: March 26, 1888 (Saint Petersburg, Russia)
Died: March 4, 1948 (Boston, Massachusetts)

Famous For/Known For:
Swedish nurse known for her work with prisoners of war during WWI and WWII. Often referred to as the Angel of Siberia.

A Little About

Elsa Brandström:
Born to parents Edvard and Anna Wilhelmina (Eschelsson) Brandström.

From 1906-1908, Brandström studied to become a teacher.

With the onset of WW1, she trained as a nurse and volunteered in the Russian Army.

In 1915, she and a friend, Ethel von Heidenstan, headed to Siberia with the Swedish Red Cross to administer basic medical treatments for German and Austrian POW’s.

When Brandström saw the inhumane ways the Russians treated German and Austrian POW’s, she decided to dedicate her life to helping these prisoners.

In 1922, she published her book, Among POW’s in Russia and Siberia 1914 – 1920.

In 1923, Brandström toured the United States giving lectures to raise money for children of deceased and traumatized German and Austrian POW’s. She raised $100,000.

In Siberia many dying German soldiers asked her to take care of their children, which she promised to do, and kept her word.

Branström received many medals, awards, and honors. She was also nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, Heroine of Peace in 1922, twice in 1923, 1928, and in 1929.

Elsa Brandström died from bone cancer at the age of 59.

Books About/Written By Elsa Brandström

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References:
http://encyclopedia.1914-1918-online.net/article/brandstrom_elsa