Alexandra David-Néel (l. 1868-1969) was a world traveler, writer, and Buddhist spiritualist who wrote over 30 books on her journeys which took her 18,641.136 miles (30,000 km) around the world on foot or by various conveyances. Her works influenced the writers of the Beat Generation, and she remains an iconic inspiration for many in the present day.
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Definition
Timeline
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1868 - 1969Life of adventurer, writer, mystic, and world traveler Alexandra David-Néel.
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1888 - 1890Alexandra David-Néel embraces theosophy, Buddhism, and Stoicism.
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1891Alexandra David-Néel's first journey to India.
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1895Alexandra David-Néel is an opera singer in Indochina (Vietnam).
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1904Alexandra David-Néel marries Philip Néel.
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1911Alexandra David-Néel leaves for the East alone.
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1914Alexandra David-Néel meets Aphur Yongden, her adopted son and traveling companion.
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1914 - 1917Alexandra David-Néel lives with Yongden in the Himalayas.
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1917Alexandra David-Néel and Yongden explore Japan and Korea.
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1918 - 1920Alexandra David-Néel and Yongden live at Kumbum Monastery, China, translating texts.
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1923 - 1924Alexandra David-Néel and Yongden travel to Lhasa, Tibet; she becomes first European woman to enter Lhasa.
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1925Alexandra David-Néel returns to France with Yongden.
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1927Alexandra David-Néel publishes her famous My Journey to Lhasa.
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1928 - 1936Alexandra David-Néel and Yongden live at Digne, France where she continues to write.
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1937 - 1946Alexandra David-Néel and Yongden return to the east and live in China.
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1946Alexandra David-Néel returns to France.
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1955Alexandra David-Néel's adopted son Yongden dies.
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1959Marie-Madeleine Peyronnet becomes Alexandra David-Néel's housekeeper and companion.
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1968World leaders, authors, and others celebrate Alexandra David-Néel's 100th birthday.
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1969Alexandra David-Néel dies of natural causes at her home in Digne, France.
