Beryl Markham

Beryl Markham (26 October 1902 – 3 August 1986) was a British-born Kenyan aviator (one of the first bush pilots), adventurer, racehorse trainer and author. During the pioneer days of aviation, she became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic from east to west. She is now primarily remembered as the author of her memoir, West with the Night.

Early years

Markham was born Beryl Clutterbuck in the village of Ashwell, in the county of Rutland, England, the daughter of Charles Baldwin Clutterbuck, an accomplished horse trainer, and Clara Agnes (Alexander) Clutterbuck (1878–1952). She had an older brother, Richard Alexander "Dickie" Clutterbuck (1900–1927). When she was four years old, her father moved the family to Kenya, which was then colonial British East Africa. He purchased a farm in Njoro near the Great Rift Valley, and worked for Hugh Cholmondeley. Although her mother disliked the isolation there and promptly returned to England, Beryl stayed in Kenya with her father, where she spent an adventurous childhood learning, playing, and hunting with the local children. Later, after both women had spent time back in England, Beryl and her mother - now called Kirkpatrick - found themselves again in Kenya, living near each other in the small expatriate community. Beryl would greet her two new half-brothers, but never quite forgave her mother.