Podcast Summary: Stuff You Missed in History Class

Episode: Elizabeth Bisland, Beyond the Trip Around the World
Hosts: Tracy B. Wilson & Holly Frey
Date: March 9, 2026
Podcast by: iHeartPodcasts

Main Theme

This episode explores the life and career of journalist and writer Elizabeth Bisland—best known for her around-the-world race against Nellie Bly in 1889–90—but goes further, delving into Bisland’s intriguing upbringing, her literary accomplishments, relationships, and nuanced legacy. The hosts seek to paint a fuller picture of Bisland, whose achievements have often been overshadowed or defined solely by her famous journey.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Early Life and Family Background

• Birth and Context

  • Born in 1861 in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, to Thomas Shields Bisland and Margaret Bisland (04:25).
  • Family’s wealth was based on slavery, owning about 120 enslaved people.

• Civil War Impact on the Family

  • Plantation was heavily impacted by the war: loss of forced labor, physical destruction, and financial setbacks (07:41).
  • Post-war, family’s social and financial position diminished significantly.

• Childhood and Education

  • Bisland was precocious and literate, teaching herself French while churning butter so she could read Rousseau in the original language (09:48).
  • Secretly submitted poems under the pseudonym “BLR Dayne” to the New Orleans Times Democrat; even her own mother, also a poet, was unaware for a time (10:28).

Launch of Literary and Journalism Career

• Entry into Journalism

  • At 20, offered a staff job at the Times Democrat (10:28).
  • "Almost before I was grown, I was thrust out of leisure into the life of journalism..." (Elizabeth Bisland, 11:26).

• New York Move & Literary Editorship

  • Moved to New York with $50, finding early support from Chester Lord at the New York Sun (17:11).
  • Became literary editor at Cosmopolitan magazine, regularly reviewed books, and wrote under minimal or no byline (19:57).

• Relationships Influencing Her Career

  • Lifelong, possibly obsessive correspondence with Greek-American writer Lafcadio Hearn, whom she met in New Orleans (12:39).

The Race Around the World

• Setting the Stage

  • Nellie Bly’s announced journey to beat the "Around the World in 80 Days" record inspired Cosmopolitan publisher John Brisbin Walker to send Bisland on a competing trip in the opposite direction (21:07).
  • Both women’s journeys leveraged late 19th-century fascination with speed, travel, and progress (25:03).

• Bisland's Reluctance & Experience

  • "I had become convinced that the editor really wished me to make the attempt. And I had earnestly endeavored to convince him that I meant to do nothing of the sort. To begin with, I didn't wish to... and lastly, but most weightily, I foresaw the notoriety... to this notoriety I most earnestly objected." (Bisland, 23:42)
  • Despite reluctance, departed six hours after assignment given.

• Differences in Reporting Styles

  • Bly’s account: Sensational, focused on public adulation ("It was glorious, a ride worthy of a queen." - Bly, 28:00).
  • Bisland’s account: Reserved, poetic, introspective ("The water has smoothed itself into a bay, and a huge gray woman holding an uplifted torch awaits our coming..." - Bisland, 29:07).

• The Outcome & Public Reception

  • Bisland was on track to beat Bly, but a misinformation incident in France caused her to miss a key connection, extending her journey to 76 days versus Bly's 72 (30:41).
  • Bisland avoided the lecture circuit and publicity, while Bly embraced fame.

Life After the Famous Journey

• Continued Writing and Collaborations

  • Lived in the UK for a year post-trip, collaborated with Rhoda Broughton, corresponded with Rudyard Kipling (36:49).
  • Married Charles Whitman Wetmore, becoming financially secure (37:19).

• The ‘Art of Travel’ and Views on Independent Women Travelers

  • Authored travel advice for women—practical but infused with period views on gender and cultural norms (38:34).
  • "There was nothing to prevent a woman from seeing every civilized and even semi-civilized country in the world without other protection than her own modesty and good sense." (Bisland, 40:04).
  • As hosts note, some advice is progressive, but also problematic in blaming women for negative experiences and relying on ideals of male chivalry (41:21).

• Later Work: The Life and Letters of Lafcadio Hearn

  • Authored a major two-volume biography, supporting Hearn’s widow with proceeds; biography sidesteps Hearn’s earlier controversial marriage due to contemporary race laws (42:02).
  • Continued to publish essays on social organization and gender—her 1927 “The Truth About Men and Other Matters” critically examines historical gendered self-narratives (45:02).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On her childhood imagination:
  • "As soon as articulate speech was at my command, it was my practice to catch and mount barebacked any small wild hobby which might happen to graze in the vicinity..." (Bisland, 09:05).
• On entering journalism:
  • “Almost before I was grown, I was thrust out of leisure into the life of journalism..." (11:26).
• On Women's Travel:
  • "There was, quote, nothing to prevent a woman from seeing every civilized and even semi civilized country in the world without other protection than her own modesty and good sense." (Bisland, 40:04).
• On gendered narratives:
  • “Whatever has been recorded of the human male... has been written, said and sung by himself. Whatever has been told of woman... has also been set down by the same hand." (45:02)

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:34 | Introduction and setting the episode’s theme | | 04:25 | Bisland's early life, family, and Civil War context | | 09:05 | Early literary ambitions and self-description | | 10:28 | Secret poetry submissions and start at New Orleans Times Democrat | | 17:11 | Move to NYC and breaking into literary journalism | | 21:07 | Nellie Bly's announced journey and Cosmopolitan's response | | 23:42 | Bisland's reaction to the sudden assignment | | 25:03 | Media coverage and gendered aspect of stunt journalism | | 27:36 | Contrasts in Bly and Bisland’s reports | | 30:41 | How travel mishap led to Bisland’s loss in the race | | 36:09 | Bisland distancing herself from the "lady stunt reporter" trend | | 38:34 | Marriage and post-trip career | | 42:02 | Major writing project: Life and Letters of Lafcadio Hearn | | 45:02 | “The Truth About Men and Other Matters” and critique of gendered history | | 47:06 | Bisland’s death, obituary, and charitable legacy | | 47:46 | Posthumous publications; lasting impact |

Complexities and Legacy

• Complex perspectives:

  • Bisland's writings show both progressive and dated views, especially regarding gender, race, and class.
  • Some works contain language and arguments now recognized as harmful or offensive, notably antisemitic tropes present in her later essays (46:23).

• Relationship with Fame:

  • "Bisland had known that a trip around the world made by a woman reporter would bring her fame and notoriety, which she absolutely did not want." (36:09)
  • Unlike Bly, Bisland sought to define herself through literary merit rather than sensational exploits.

• Lasting Contributions:

  • Set up a charitable fund for those with tuberculosis and other respiratory diseases (47:29).
  • Posthumous book, Three Wise Men of the East, displays sensitivity to Eastern histories, republished in 2018 (47:46).

Memorable Anecdotes

• The mistaken identity saga surrounding Bisland’s pseudonymous poetry, where even her mother was confused by the “older English gentleman” writing style, adds a humorous touch (10:28).
• The vivid recounting by Lefcadio Hearn: “She is a sort of goddess here, keeps a Southern salon… as for me, she is like hashish.” (20:30)

Final Thoughts

This episode adeptly illuminates the complexities and contradictions in Elizabeth Bisland’s life and career. While she will forever be linked to her sensational race against Nellie Bly, Bisland’s story is ultimately deeper—a tale of literary accomplishment, societal contradiction, and the quest for identity outside the bounds of fame.

For listeners interested in women’s history, journalism, and the interplay of progress and prejudice in late 19th to early 20th-century America, this episode offers a richly contextual and honest portrait.