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In 1889, Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland raced each other around the world. Follow these two independent, solo female travellers on their journey through their own words.
It was a different world and a different style of travel. Journeying around the world in even 80 days was still the realm of science fiction. But in 1889, two female reporters working for competing newspapers, set out on a journey to beat Phineas Fogg’s fictitious record. A feat unheard of in those days.
Both women were forces to be reckoned with in their own rights. Nellie Bly had made a name for herself as a sensationalist reporter. She’d already covered rebellions in Mexico and checked herself in to a sanatorium to write an expose on the treatment of women in the institution. Elizabeth Bisland served as literary editor and wrote literature reviews and poetry. Leaving New York on the same day, they travelled opposite directions around the globe in a head-to-head race around the world. Both chronicled their trip for the respective newspapers and eventually wrote books about their experiences: Nellie Bly’s Around the World in 72 Days and Elizabeth Bisland’s In Seven Stages: A Flying Trip Around the World.
Though it was certainly a different era and the books touch on the topics of race, class, and colonialism with sometimes less than modern viewpoints, it’s a treat to be able to read about these women’s journeys from their own perspectives. Despite the large time difference, they faced many of the same challenges that solo female travellers still face today such as loneliness and judgement from fellow travellers…and also enjoyed many of the same benefits such as a sense of independence and accomplishment as well as making new friends along their journey. You also get a great feel for the women through their words…the brash, straightforward Nellie and the quieter, more literary Elizabeth.
Who made it home first? Well, you’ll have to read the books and find out! But they both beat Phileas Fogg’s ‘record!’
