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| Kew Gardens, New Zeland |
Marianne North (24 October 1830 - 30 August 1890) taught herself how to paint, planned her own expeditions to the far corners of the world to find her subjects, and wrote a biography or two recounting her adventures. She determined in 1890 to paint the flora of distant countries, eventually painting flowers in India, Java, Jamacia, America, Africa, Japan - the list goes on.
I alternatively admire and pity those whose passion consumes them at the cost of stability, consistent friendships and long-term love, among others. Lives lived like hers sound romantic and adventurous on paper, but I have to believe it became extremely lonely. However, she does serve as a tenacious spirit who who did not let the social mores of the time (a single woman traveling alone) stifle her inexhaustible passion. It also helps that she had tons of money.
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