Elizabeth Bisland

Elizabeth Bisland was a prominent American journalist and author, best known for her record-breaking trip around the world in 1889-1890, which was inspired by the fictional journey of Phileas Fogg in Jules Verne's Around the World in Eighty Days. Born in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, Bisland grew up in a family of modest means and was largely self-educated, drawing inspiration from the works of Charles Dickens, William Makepeace Thackeray, and Jane Austen. Her early life was marked by a strong interest in literature and writing, which would eventually lead her to pursue a career in journalism, following in the footsteps of notable female journalists like Nellie Bly and Ida Tarbell. Bisland's journey was also influenced by the travels of Marco Polo, James Cook, and David Livingstone, who had explored various parts of the world, including Asia, Africa, and South America.

● Early Life and Education

Bisland's early life was shaped by her family's circumstances, which forced her to rely on her own resources to acquire an education, much like Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Edison. She drew inspiration from the works of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Walt Whitman, who were prominent figures in American literature. Bisland's interest in writing and literature was encouraged by her family, who recognized her talent and supported her efforts to develop her skills, much like the families of Emily Dickinson and Edgar Allan Poe. As she grew older, Bisland became increasingly fascinated with the world beyond her hometown, reading about the travels of Ferdinand Magellan, Vasco da Gama, and Amerigo Vespucci, who had explored the New World and established trade routes with Europe and Asia.

● Career

Bisland's career as a journalist began in the 1880s, when she started writing for various publications, including the Cosmopolitan and the New York World, which were known for their coverage of current events, including the Industrial Revolution and the Women's Suffrage Movement. She quickly gained recognition for her writing style, which was characterized by its wit, intelligence, and insight, much like the writing of Mark Twain and Theodore Dreiser. Bisland's work was influenced by the journalism of Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst, who were known for their innovative approaches to news gathering and reporting. As her career progressed, Bisland became known for her interviews with prominent figures, including Oscar Wilde, Sarah Bernhardt, and Theodore Roosevelt, who were making headlines in the United States and Europe.

● Nellie Bly Competition

In 1889, Bisland embarked on a journey around the world, which was inspired by the fictional journey of Phileas Fogg in Jules Verne's Around the World in Eighty Days. Her trip was a response to the challenge issued by Nellie Bly, who had also attempted to circumnavigate the globe in record time, following in the footsteps of Joshua Slocum and Thor Heyerdahl. Bisland's journey took her to various parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, and North America, where she encountered notable figures like Queen Victoria, Leo Tolstoy, and Buffalo Bill Cody. The competition between Bisland and Nellie Bly generated widespread media attention, with newspapers like the New York Times and the London Times covering their progress and comparing their journeys to those of Ferdinand Magellan and James Cook.

● Writing and Later Life

After completing her journey around the world, Bisland wrote a book about her experiences, which was published in 1891 and became a bestseller, much like the books of Isabella Bird and Annie Besant. The book, which was titled In Seven Stages: A Flying Trip Around the World, provided a detailed account of Bisland's journey and offered insights into the cultures and customs of the various countries she visited, including China, Japan, and India. Bisland's writing was influenced by the works of Rudyard Kipling, Joseph Conrad, and E.M. Forster, who were known for their literary descriptions of Asia and Africa. In her later years, Bisland continued to write and publish articles and books, including a biography of Charles Dickens and a history of the Women's Suffrage Movement in the United States.

● Legacy

Bisland's legacy as a journalist and author is significant, and her work continues to be recognized and celebrated today, much like the work of Ida Tarbell and Lincoln Steffens. Her journey around the world in 1889-1890 was a groundbreaking achievement that paved the way for future generations of female journalists and travelers, including Amelia Earhart and Jacqueline Cochran. Bisland's writing and reporting style, which was characterized by its intelligence, wit, and insight, has been praised by scholars and critics, who compare her work to that of Mark Twain and Theodore Dreiser. Today, Bisland is remembered as a pioneering figure in the history of journalism, and her work continues to inspire and influence writers and journalists around the world, including those at the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the BBC. Category:American journalists