Contents
Alexandra David-Néel
Travelling to Lhasa in 1924 and writing influential accounts of Tibetan Buddhism.
Journey to Lhasa · My Journey to Lhasa
- Born
- 24 October 1868
- Birthplace
- Saint-Mandé, France
- Died
- 8 September 1969
More people
Alexandra David-Néel
French traveller and writer whose earlier career included opera. Her long journeys in Asia brought Buddhist study and personal travel narratives to European readers.
Early life
France and Belgium
Born near Paris and raised partly in Brussels.
Music and ideas
Studied singing while developing interests in religion, philosophy and social reform.
Career
- 1890s–1900s
Performing and writing
Worked as an opera singer and published on social and religious questions.
- 1911–1920s
Asian journeys
Travelled and studied in India, Tibet and neighbouring regions.
- 1924 onward
Lhasa and books
Reached Lhasa with Yongden and developed the travel writing for which she became known.
Journeys & writings
Journey to Lhasa
Entered the Tibetan capital during a period of restrictions on foreign access.
My Journey to Lhasa
An account of the journey and its difficulties.
Magic and Mystery in Tibet
A book introducing readers to Tibetan religious practices and experiences.
Beyond work
Yongden
Her adopted son and travelling companion played a central role in her journeys.
A home in France
Established a home at Digne where she continued writing into old age.
Sources & photo credit
Biography and references ↗Biography and contributions ↗Photo: Preus museum. CC BY 2.0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
