Beatrix Manico Gull

Beatrix Timbrell Bulstrode (born Mary Beatrix Nunns in 1869, later known as Beatrix Manico Gull after her second marriage, died 1951) was a British journalist and explorer. She is best known for her journey through China and Mongolia in the early twentieth century, which she wrote about in a 1920 book, A Tour in Mongolia.

Biography

Bulstrode was born Mary Beatrix Nunns in 1869 in Sussex. She later became a journalist and was on the council of the Society of Women Journalists. In 1891, she married Herbert Timbrell Bulstrode, who died in 1911. Bulstrode wanted to travel after the death of her first husband.

Bulstrode toured Mongolia twice. The first journey used local guides and she was accompanied by a missionary from Finland. Her second trip was with Edward Manico Gull, whom she later married. On her travels, she carried a concealed Mauser C96 that she was practiced in using. She also had two Colt revolvers and a shotgun. The entire journey cost her $1,500.

Bulstrode began her journey in September 1911, starting out at Hong Kong. She took a boat to Fuzhow, where she was able to tour southern China. She took another boat trip to the mouth of the Yangzste River and then traveled 1,200 miles (1,900 kilometres) up the river part-way with a local crew and later on a British steamer. She next traveled near Yichang and then went back to Hankou. From there, she traveled to the capital, Beijing. From the capital, she traveled through Zhangjiakou in a cart to Mongolia. Once in Mongolia, she traveled 120 miles (190 kilometres) through open country, encountering Nomadic people. Bulstrode decided not to cross the Gobi Desert and returned to Beijing.