Wild and Fearless: The Life of Margaret Fountaine

The first full biography of the globe-trotting Victorian vicar’s daughter who became a noted entomologist but whose unconventional private life was at odds with the mores of her time. Drawing on a wealth of new material to tell a remarkable story, this biography documents passionate lover and fearless spirit—Margaret Fountaine. A true individualist, Fountaine's life was founded upon her idiosyncratic determination to pursue her work. Tempestuous love affairs with men from around the world aside, Fountaine can be counted as a pioneering traveler who considered the effects of tourism on native populations before anyone else, developing ideas of sustainable research while others were culling species for the world's museums. Time will tell whether Margaret Fountaine is to be ranked among the world's finest naturalists, but readers will find it as easy as always to fall under the spell of this great English eccentric.

Natascha Scott-Stokes became the first woman to travel the length of the Amazon river alone in 1989. She has written three books about her extensive travels and has contributed to Rough Guides and Cadogan Books.