Evangeline and Francesca French (Evangeline-1869 Francesca-1871 - 1960) Also known as: Evangeline Frances "Eva" French 馮貴珠; Francesca Law French 馮貴石 Notable Achievements Missionary work throughout China in the early twentieth century, as part of the famous "Trio" with Mildred Cable. Occupation/Field of Study: Missionaries Exploration Zone: Humanity: missionary, religion; Location of Activity: Asia: China, Gobi Desert, Tuhwang; Period of Activity: 1851-1900; 1901-1950; Biography Born in 1869 and 1871, respectively, Algerian missionaries Evangeline and Francesca French are representative of Victorian women who traveled because of their religious beliefs. They worked for the China Inland Mission, spreading Christianity through China, and in 1900 they were almost killed during a massacre of foreign missionaries in that country. In 1902 they joined fellow missionary Mildred Cable in her efforts to establish a Christian school, but eventually the three women decided to go into the Gobi Desert to preach. They traveled throughout the region for over 15 years, spreading Christianity and learning about Buddhism in return. Periodically they would return to civilization for supplies, then set out again. Their freedom to travel ended, however, in 1931 when a political-religious conflict led to military rule. The new government restricted the women to the city of Tunhwang, but after several months they managed to escape across the desert. They left China shortly thereafter and did not return until 1935, when they could only travel in the company of an official Chinese guide. In their later years the women made two more trips: in 1946 they traveled to Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe, and in 1947 they visited South America. Both Evangeline and Francesca died in 1960. -The Encyclopedia of Women's Travel and Exploration, Patricia D. Netzley 2001