Florence Baker, Hungarian Explorer

Florence Baker, Hungarian Explorer

Florence Barbara Maria von Sass (August 6, 1841 - March 11, 1916) was a Hungarian-born British explorer. Orphaned during the Hungarian Revolution of 1848, she was sent to an Ottoman harem, where she lived as a chore girl until she hit puberty, when she was sold to a slave auction. Samuel Baker (June 8, 1821 - December 30, 1893) an English explorer, and big game hunter, became entranced by the teenager on the slave block. When he couldn’t outbid the pasha, he bribed the guards and Florence was allowed to escape with him. They set off to Africa in 1861, first exploring Ethiopia, then setting their sights on discovering the source of the River Nile. Gondokoro was a pivotal point in expeditions because it marked the point where explorers were forced to abandon the relative comfort upriver boats, and continue up the White Nile by foot. By the time they arrived, the expedition crew and Samuel had reached an impasse. Florence was able to negotiate an understanding and kept the expedition intact and moving forward. Progress up the White Nile was slow and much of the team eventually abandoned the Bakers. The Bakers claimed the European discovery of Murchison Falls and Lake Albert beyond. In 1865, Florence and Samuel returned to England and were married, but were not welcomed openly into formal English society. In 1869 they returned to Gondokoro as abolitionists. Photographed by Henry Maull, 1875.

FLORENCE BAKER

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