Born in England in 1902, Beryl Markham moved with her family to Kenya when she was four years old. They settled on a farm near the Great Rift Valley, where Markham would spend her childhood exploring the African landscape and learning from the local community. Her unconventional upbringing fostered a spirit of adventure and independence that would stay with her throughout her life.
As she grew older, Markham became known for her non-conformist and trailblazing spirit. She became the first licensed female horse trainer in Kenya and had a number of marriages and affairs. In addition to her career with horses, Markham also became an accomplished pilot and was one of the first to fly solo and non-stop across the Atlantic from east to west in 1936. This daring feat, which went against prevailing winds, further solidified her reputation as a fearless adventurer.
Markham is perhaps best known for her memoir, "West With The Night," which was first published in 1942. The book chronicles her experiences growing up in Africa and her subsequent adventures as a pilot and horse trainer. Despite receiving critical acclaim, the memoir went out of print shortly after its publication. It was not until several decades later, in 1982, that the book was rediscovered and achieved new popularity upon its republication in 1983. Markham passed away in 1986, but her memoir remains a beloved and enduring classic.