Emily "Mickey" Hahn was an American journalist, author, and adventurer whose prolific career spanned much of the twentieth century. Recognized as an early feminist, Hahn broke conventional boundaries early in life by becoming the first woman to earn a degree in Mining Engineering from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Her restless spirit soon led her away from engineering toward a life of global travel and writing, living in Florence and London during the mid-1920s before embarking on more daring expeditions.
In the 1930s, Hahn traveled to the Belgian Congo, where she hiked across Central Africa, an experience that deeply influenced her perspective and writing. In 1935, she journeyed to Shanghai, China, where she spent three years teaching English. During her time in Shanghai, she became integrated into the local intellectual and social scenes, forming close relationships with prominent figures such as the Soong Sisters and the Chinese poet Shao Xunmei (Sinmay Zau).
Over her lifetime, Hahn published more than 50 books and over 200 articles and short stories, many of which appeared in The New Yorker, which later described her as "a forgotten American literary treasure." Her novels and journalistic pieces played a significant role in introducing Western readers to the cultures and complexities of Asia and Africa. Her diverse body of work was consistently shaped by her extensive travels and her lifelong love of animals.
