WHAT: an RASBJ online talk by explorer Jacki Hill-Murphy recreating Isabella Bird's lecture to The Royal Geographical Society on May 10th 1897 that described her journey along the Yangtze in1896, illustrated with Isabella Bird's Magic Lantern Slides, and moderated by Sarah Keenlyside.

WHEN: Wednesday June 8, 7:00PM Beijing.

MORE ABOUT THE EVENT: Isabella Bird was a pioneer 19th century explorer, who spent her life travelling to some of the wildest and most inhospitable places on earth -- but at home in Britain lay in bed, hardly able to write: 'an invalid at home and a Samson abroad'. She was also a pioneer travel writer, living off her books, describing her travels in America before and after the Civil War, Hawaii, the Himalayas, Iran, Japan, Korea and China. In 1896, in her mid-sixties, she travelled 4000 miles up the Yangtze to Chengdu and back. On her return to London, she gave a lecture to The Royal Geographical Society, illustrated with some of her 100 Magic Lantern Slides. Jacki Hill-Murphy, a contemporary adventuress and biographer of Isabella Bird, recreates that lecture for the RASBJ.

BACKGROUND READING: "The Life and Travels of Isabella Bird: the Fearless Victorian Adventurer" by Jacki Hill-Murphy https://www.amazon.com/Life-Travels-Isabella-Bird-Trailblazing/dp/1526763249/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1612ARE2PBVU7&keywords=JACKI+HILL-MURPHY&qid=1652958677&sprefix=jacki+hill-murphy%2Caps%2C303&sr=8-1​

BY INVITATION ONLY: RASBJ events are free and under normal circumstances exclusively for members of RASBJ and partner RAS branches. However these are not normal times -- at least not for many in China or involved with entities in China. Increasingly stringent anti-pandemic measures have restricted travel (and, in some places that means travel beyond your doorstep) and reduced the availability of many leisure activities.

Catering to increased demand overall, and perhaps especially for vicarious travel, RASBJ is inviting you and a number of other non-members to take part in this online event -- just follow the directions on HOW TO JOIN THE EVENT and sign up in the category of "Special Guest" with "RASBJ" as your invitor.

HOW TO JOIN THE EVENT: Please click "Register" or "I Will Attend" and follow the instructions.

Members of RASBJ: After successful registration, you'll receive a confirmation email with a link to join the event. If you seem not to have received it, please check your spam folder.

Members of partner RAS branches: Kindly register at least 72 hours in advance to allow time for membership verification. You will receive two emails from us, the first confirming receipt of your registration request and the second confirming your registration, with a link to join the event. Please check your spam folder to ensure you see all RASBJ emails.

Non-member guests: Please register in the category of "Special Guest" and enter "RASBJ" in the "Invited by" field. Kindly register at least 72 hours in advance to allow time for verification. You will receive two emails from us, the first confirming receipt of your registration request and the second confirming your registration, with a link to join the event. Please check your spam folder to ensure you see all RASBJ emails. We hope you enjoy the talk -- and feel persuaded to sign up for RASBJ membership! For more details on becoming a member, go https://rasbj.org/membership/​

Places are limited to 100, and will be allocated strictly in order of application.