Elizabeth Bisland (1861–1929) was an American journalist, essayist, and literary critic — refined, soft-spoken, analytical, and in nearly every way the social and stylistic opposite of Nellie Bly.
Where Bly was bold, theatrical, and hungered for journalistic disruption,
Bisland was cultivated, poetic, and sought literary beauty rather than headlines.
She wrote not for sensation, but for elegance.
Why was she chosen to race Bly around the world?
When The Cosmopolitan Magazine discovered that the rival newspaper The New York World had launched Nellie Bly around the globe, editor John Brisben Walker reacted instantly: “Send for Miss Bisland!” The rivalry wasn’t personal. It was a publicity war between magazines, and Bisland became the refined literary weapon to counter Bly’s populist fire.
“A woman who travelled the world yet preferred the quiet of her writing desk.”
She became a revered editor and biographer. Her most celebrated works include: “The Life and Letters of Lafcadio Hearn” (2 volumes), “A Flying Trip Around the World” (her account of the race), Essays for The Atlantic, Harper’s, The North American Review, and others
She was admired by writers across Europe and the U.S. and spent her later life in Virginia, living privately and elegantly, far from journalism’s publicity circus.
She never chased fame — and fame never stopped chasing her.
“Her contemporaries described her as: Perhaps the most literary woman in journalism.”
She was the image of dignity under pressure — a Victorian heroine of intellect, not theatrics.
When Bisland died in 1929, newspapers wrote about her not as a racer, but as a thinker. Even Nellie Bly — her old “competitor” — softened toward her as the years passed, once saying that Bisland was: “A lady of real charm and genuine accomplishment.”
FEATURED IMAGE CREDIT: This image was generated with Sora 4o based on historical images.
Elizabeth Bisland, American journalist and author, perhaps now best known for her 1889–1890 race around the world against Nellie Bly, which drew worldwide attention, was born on February 11, 1861 and died on January 6, 1929.
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1Connections | 1Gifts | 0Children |
Elizabeth Bisland
was conceived around May 7, 1860
and has 1 event
A full gestation takes 280 days. Have you ever checked what happened when you were conceived? You should, because it matters.
290 days before
(about 9 months)
Thomas Jackson is assigned to command Harpers Ferry
It happened on April 27, 1860
Featuring: Stonewall Jackson.
Xanadu Registrant
These are the notable people who registered Elizabeth Bisland into the Xanadu blockchain, after making a gift to humanity.
At this time, I do not have a female DNA contributor. To find this person, you must look at the events that occured around 1860-05-07.
Elizabeth Bisland
1861-1929
American journalist and author, perhaps now best known for her 1889–1890 race around the world against Nellie Bly, which drew worldwide attention
Stonewall Jackson
1824-1863
Confederate general (1861–1863) during the American Civil War
Published Events
Nellie boards the Augusta Victoria, a steamer of the Hamburg America Line, and began her journey with the goal of finishing in 75 days
It happened on November 14, 1889
Inspired by Jules Verne, pioneer American woman journalist Nellie Bly (Elizabeth Cochrane) begins an attempt to beat travel around the world in less than 80 days (Bly finishes the journey in 72 days, 6 hours and 11 minutes). On November 20, 1889, The Gran
Featuring: Elizabeth Bisland, John Brisben Walker, Nellie Bly. (more...)
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