Nellie Bly (1864-1922) was the pen name of Elizabeth Cochran Seaman, an American journalist. She was widely known for two feats: a record-breaking trip around the world in emulation of Jules Verne, and an exposé in which she faked insanity to study a mental institution from within. She was a pioneer in her field, both for her gender and her new approach to investigative journalism. She was also an industrialist and charity worker.