Born: 1778 (Trois-Canons, near La Rochelle, France)
Died: 1819 (Paris, France)
Biography:
Sophie Blanchard (French pronunciation: [sfi bla]; 25 March 1778 – 6 July 1819), commonly referred to as Madame Blanchard and also known by many combinations of her maiden and married names, including Madeleine-Sophie Blanchard, Marie Madeleine-Sophie Blanchard, Marie Sophie Armant and Madeleine-Sophie Armant Blanchard, was a French aeronaut and the wife of ballooning pioneer Jean-Pierre Blanchard.
Blanchard was the first woman to work as a professional balloonist, and after her husband’s death, she continued ballooning, making more than 60 ascents. Born Marie Madeleine-Sophie Armant to Protestant parents at Trois-Canons, near La Rochelle, little is known of her life before her marriage to Jean-Pierre Blanchard, the world’s first professional balloonist. The date of her marriage is unclear, with sources quoting dates as early as 1794 or 1797, but most state 1804 as the year of her first ascent.
Blanchard’s husband had abandoned his first wife, Victoire Lebrun, and their four children to pursue his ballooning career, which ultimately left Lebrun in poverty. Sophie, described as both small, ugly, nervous wife and later as small and beautiful, took to the sky with her husband and found her true passion. While she was easily startled and suffered from a nervous disposition on the ground, Blanchard’s fearlessness knew no bounds in the air.
Sophie and Jean-Pierre Blanchard faced financial difficulties due to his poor business sense, and they believed that the novelty of a female balloonist might attract attention and help solve their problems. On 27 December 1804, Sophie made her first ascent with Jean-Pierre in Marseilles, describing the feeling as an incomparable sensation.
Throughout Europe, Blanchard’s balloon flights became highly popular and she entertained esteemed figures. Napoleon Bonaparte, impressed by her ballooning exploits, promoted Blanchard to the role of Aeronaut of the Official Festivals, replacing André-Jacques Garnerin. She continued to achieve great success, even performing for Louis XVIII after the restoration of the monarchy in 1814. Louis XVIII named her the Official Aeronaut of the Restoration.
Ballooning in the early 19th century was a risky endeavor, and Blanchard faced numerous challenges. She lost consciousness on several occasions, endured freezing temperatures, and even almost drowned when her balloon crashed in a marsh. However, these setbacks did not deter her from pursuing her passion for ballooning.
Tragically, on 6 July 1819, Sophie Blanchard became the first woman to be killed in an aviation accident. During an exhibition at the Tivoli Gardens in Paris, she launched fireworks that ignited the gas in her balloon. The resulting fire caused her craft to crash on the roof of a house, and she fell to her death.
Sophie Blanchard’s life and career were marked by groundbreaking achievements in the field of ballooning. As the first professional female balloonist, she defied societal norms and carved a path for women in aviation. Her daring spirit and determination inspired countless others, and her contributions to the field have secured her a place in history.
Awards:
– Official Aeronaut of the Official Festivals
– Official Aeronaut of the Restoration