Jane Dieulafoy

Born in Toulouse in 1851, Jane Dieulafoy became known as an archaeologist, explorer, novelist, journalist, and feminist. She married Marcel-Auguste Dieulafoy in 1870, and the two became close collaborators in travel and fieldwork.

She is especially remembered for journeys in Persia and for the excavations at Susa, where she and her husband helped uncover important remains from the ancient Persian world. She also wrote about these travels, using books and articles to share archaeology and everyday life abroad with readers in France.

Dieulafoy stood out personally as well as professionally. She was known for wearing men's clothing, sometimes with official permission, and her public image challenged the gender rules of her era. She died in 1916, leaving behind a reputation for curiosity, courage, and an unusually adventurous life.