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1780s: The ballooning misadventures of John Jeffries, scientist and aviation pioneer.
Up & Down: The Adventures of John Jeffries, First American to Fly
What you need to know before your trail
Swept up by the European ballooning craze of the 1780s, Dr. John Jeffries longed to become the first person to fly across the English Channel. But first he had to outwit a rascally copilot, keep the balloon from bursting, and avoid crashing into the sea. The good doctor’s quick-thinking solutions will surprise young readers–and keep them giggling.
Locations
Reset- America/ USA - Massachusetts
- A: Boston - Havard College
- B: Boston - Waterfront
- C: Boston - John Jefferies House
- England
- D: Dover - Dover Castle
Travel Guide
BookTrail Travel to Boston, USA
Born in Boston, Jeffries graduated from Harvard College ( and later from the University of Aberdeen). Dr. Jeffries played a important role in the trial for the Boston Massacre and he was also the surgeon for Patrick Carr, one of the Americans shot during that incident.
In 1775, Jeffries was a surgeon on board British ships in Boston Harbor and helped the wounded British soldiers at the Battle of Bunker Hill.
In 1785, Jeffries and Jean-Pierre Blanchard crossed the English Channel in a balloon, becoming the first human beings to cross the Channel by air.
BookTrail Boarding Pass: Up & Down: The Adventures of John Jeffries, First American to Fly
Destination: Boston, Dover, Calais Author/Guide: Don Brown Departure Time: 1785
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