📖 Overview
Elizabeth Bisland (1861-1929) was an American journalist and author best known for her race around the world against Nellie Bly in 1889-1890, an event that captured international media attention. She completed the journey in 76 days while representing The Cosmopolitan magazine, narrowly losing to Bly's 72-day record.
Bisland established herself as a literary critic and essayist in New York City, where she wrote for various publications including The Sun and The Atlantic Monthly. Her written works encompassed travel literature, poetry, and biographical pieces, with her most notable books being "In Seven Stages" (1891) and "The Life and Letters of Lafcadio Hearn" (1906).
As a prominent figure in New York's literary circles, Bisland hosted salons that attracted leading intellectuals and artists of the Gilded Age. She maintained close friendships with several notable writers of her time, including Lafcadio Hearn, about whom she wrote extensively.
Beyond her journalism career, Bisland authored works that explored themes of Japanese culture, women's roles in society, and the nature of happiness. Her later years were spent primarily in England with her husband, Charles Wetmore, where she continued to write and maintain connections with literary society.
👀 Reviews
Modern readers primarily encounter Bisland through her around-the-world race coverage and her biography of Lafcadio Hearn. Her work receives limited reviews online due to many texts being out of print.
Readers appreciate:
- First-hand historical details of late 1800s travel
- Clear, observant writing style in travel accounts
- Personal insights into Lafcadio Hearn's life and work
- Commentary on Victorian women's experiences
Common criticisms:
- Period-typical cultural biases in travel writing
- Uneven pacing in longer works
- Limited availability of complete texts
Online ratings are sparse. "In Seven Stages" has fewer than 50 ratings on Goodreads with an average of 3.8/5 stars. "The Life and Letters of Lafcadio Hearn" shows similar limited engagement.
One Goodreads reviewer noted: "Her travel observations feel remarkably fresh and relevant despite their age." Another commented: "Bisland deserves more recognition beyond being Nellie Bly's race competitor."
📚 Books by Elizabeth Bisland
A Flying Trip Around the World (1891)
A first-person account of Bisland's 76-day journey competing against Nellie Bly in a race around the globe.
In Seven Stages: A Flying Trip Around the World (1891) An expanded version of her travel account, with additional details and cultural observations from her global race.
A Candle of Understanding (1903) A novel exploring the life of a Southern woman in the post-Civil War era.
The Life and Letters of Lafcadio Hearn (1906) A biography and collection of correspondence from the writer Lafcadio Hearn, whom Bisland knew personally.
At the Sign of the Hobby Horse (1910) A collection of essays examining various social and cultural topics of the early 20th century.
The Secret Life: Being the Book of a Heretic (1906) A series of philosophical essays exploring spirituality, modern life, and personal beliefs.
The Case of John Smith, His Heaven and His Earth (1899) A novel that follows the spiritual and emotional journey of its titular character.
In Seven Stages: A Flying Trip Around the World (1891) An expanded version of her travel account, with additional details and cultural observations from her global race.
A Candle of Understanding (1903) A novel exploring the life of a Southern woman in the post-Civil War era.
The Life and Letters of Lafcadio Hearn (1906) A biography and collection of correspondence from the writer Lafcadio Hearn, whom Bisland knew personally.
At the Sign of the Hobby Horse (1910) A collection of essays examining various social and cultural topics of the early 20th century.
The Secret Life: Being the Book of a Heretic (1906) A series of philosophical essays exploring spirituality, modern life, and personal beliefs.
The Case of John Smith, His Heaven and His Earth (1899) A novel that follows the spiritual and emotional journey of its titular character.
👥 Similar authors
Nellie Bly wrote first-person accounts of her global travels and investigations as a female journalist in the late 1800s. She competed with Bisland in their famous race around the world in 1889-1890.
Frances Hodgson Burnett produced both children's literature and travel writing during the same Victorian era as Bisland. She wrote about American and British society from a woman's perspective.
Mary Kingsley documented her solo expeditions through West Africa in the 1890s. Her writing combines scientific observation with personal narrative in a similar style to Bisland's travel accounts.
Kate Field worked as a journalist and travel writer in the late 19th century, covering American and European society. She wrote for many of the same publications as Bisland, including The Atlantic Monthly.
Isabella Bird explored and wrote about locations across Asia and North America as a female Victorian travel writer. Her books detail cultural observations and adventures that parallel Bisland's international journeys.
Frances Hodgson Burnett produced both children's literature and travel writing during the same Victorian era as Bisland. She wrote about American and British society from a woman's perspective.
Mary Kingsley documented her solo expeditions through West Africa in the 1890s. Her writing combines scientific observation with personal narrative in a similar style to Bisland's travel accounts.
Kate Field worked as a journalist and travel writer in the late 19th century, covering American and European society. She wrote for many of the same publications as Bisland, including The Atlantic Monthly.
Isabella Bird explored and wrote about locations across Asia and North America as a female Victorian travel writer. Her books detail cultural observations and adventures that parallel Bisland's international journeys.