Sophie Blanchard, French Aeronaut

Sophie Blanchard, standing in the decorated basket of her balloon during her flight in Milan, Italy, in 1811. Sophie Blanchard (March 25, 1778 - July 6, 1819) was a French aeronaut and the wife of Jean-Pierre Blanchard. She was the first woman to work as a professional balloonist, and after her husband's death she continued ballooning, making more than 60 ascents. In 1819, she became the first woman to be killed in an aviation accident. Engraving by Luigi Rados, 1811

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1811 Aeronaut Balloonist Blanchard

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