Jeanne Baret
1740–1807 (age 67)
explorer/botanist
Biography
Jeanne Baret (1740–1807) was a pioneering French explorer and botanist who achieved remarkable distinction in scientific endeavors. She was the first woman to circumnavigate the globe, disguising herself as a man to join the expedition of Louis Antoine de Bougainville in 1766.
Baret's contributions to botanical science and exploration were extraordinary for her era. Despite the barriers faced by women in scientific pursuits, she collected numerous plant specimens and made observations that advanced European understanding of global flora. Her legacy endures as a testament to courage, scientific curiosity, and the determination to transcend social constraints.