Resource: Jeanne Baret

A relatively unknown female explorer was the first woman to circumnavigate the world, Jeanne Baret. Dressed as a man, she sailed on the voyage of Louis Antoine de Bouganville as the assistant of the botanist, Commerson, who suffered from ill health.

Baret was also regarded as an excellent botanist in her own right. After Commerson’s death Baret married an officer of the French Army and returned to France. Her achievements were recognised by the French Government who granted her a pension.

This resource introduces the life of this intrepid woman.