Harriet Chalmers Adams was an American explorer, writer, photographer, and lecturer who was born in 1875 in Stockton, California. She was the daughter of a prominent lawyer and politician, and she was raised in a privileged environment. She was educated at the prestigious Miss Porter’s School in Farmington, Connecticut, and then attended Stanford University, where she studied geology and zoology.
Adams was an adventurous spirit from an early age, and she was determined to explore the world. She traveled extensively throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia, and she was the first woman to cross the Panama Canal. She also became the first woman to be elected to the Royal Geographical Society in London.
Adams was an avid photographer, and she documented her travels with her camera. She was also a prolific writer, and she wrote several books about her travels, including “The Cruise of the Albatross” and “The Cruise of the Snark.” She also wrote articles for National Geographic magazine, and she was the first woman to be a contributing editor for the magazine.
Adams was a passionate advocate for women’s rights, and she was a founding member of the Society of Woman Geographers. She was also a strong supporter of the suffrage movement, and she was a delegate to the International Woman Suffrage Alliance in Berlin in 1904.
Adams was a pioneer in the field of exploration, and she was the first woman to be awarded the Gold Medal of the Royal Geographical Society. She was also the first woman to be awarded the National Geographic Society’s Hubbard Medal. She was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 1993.
Adams’ legacy lives on today, and she is remembered as a pioneering explorer and a passionate advocate for women’s rights. Her books and photographs are still widely admired, and her example of courage and determination continues to inspire women around the world.