Beryl Markham

Beryl Markham (1902-1986) was a pioneering British-Kenyan aviator, adventurer, and author who became one of the most remarkable women of the 20th century. Born in Leicester, England, she was raised in Kenya and became an accomplished horse trainer and pilot, operating a commercial airline in Kenya during the 1930s. On September 4, 1936, Markham made history by becoming the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean from east to west, departing from England and landing in Nova Scotia. This achievement made her an international celebrity, though her accomplishment was somewhat overshadowed by media focus on Amelia Earhart's disappearance the same year. Markham's life extended far beyond her famous flight—she was an accomplished horsewoman, racehorse trainer, and writer. Her memoir, 'West with the Night' (1942), is considered one of the finest aviation memoirs ever written, praised for its lyrical prose and vivid storytelling. The book, which had been out of print for decades, was rediscovered and celebrated anew in the 1980s. Markham's legacy represents the possibilities of female achievement in traditionally male-dominated fields during an era when women faced considerable barriers.