What Dominic Sandbrook has said about Edith Cavell

Sandbrook argues that Cavell became the great martyr of the First World War, though she is less known today than before.

“So she became, I think, the great martyr of the First World War. Perhaps she's not as well known now as she used to be”

The Rest Is History: 674. The First World War: The Spy Who Took on the Germans (Part 4) (May 27, 2026) · Listen from 4:55

Sandbrook cautions that much of what is known of Cavell's life comes from sentimental hagiographies written after her death.

“on incredibly treacly hagiographies that were written after her death”

The Rest Is History: 674. The First World War: The Spy Who Took on the Germans (Part 4) (May 27, 2026) · Listen from 15:09

Sandbrook believes Cavell's candid confession reflected an unworldliness and failure to grasp the gravity of her situation.

“I think there is definitely an unworldliness to her. I don't think she quite realizes the severity of the situation”

The Rest Is History: 674. The First World War: The Spy Who Took on the Germans (Part 4) (May 27, 2026) · Listen from 35:48