Jan Morris was a British journalist, travel writer and historian. However, her greatest journey was not across our planet, but between two identities: from reporter and writer James Morris to intrepid traveller and writer Jan Morris. In 1972, James travelled to Morocco to undergo sex reassignment surgery. He became Jan at a time when sex change surgery was not openly discussed and was not allowed in Britain due to Morris being married.

As James, in 1953, Morris was part of a British expedition to Mount Everest that made the first-ever confirmed climb of the mountain. Jan wrote about wars, famines and earthquakes, but her most revealing piece of writing was Conundrums, a book about her decision to undergo transition surgery. During her career, Jan won many prestigious awards and recognitions for her contributions to literature. She never shied away from being open and honest, even if that meant she would be criticised or ostracised.