Top 10 Historical Cross Dressers
Top 10 Historical Cross Dressers

10.
10.

Mary Read, Pirate (1690 – 1721)
Mary Read, Pirate (1690 – 1721)

Raised as a boy by her mother in England, Read joined the British military at a young
Raised as a boy by her mother in England, Read joined the British military at a young

age.
age.

On a trip to the West Indies, the ship she was traveling on was captured by pirates,
On a trip to the West Indies, the ship she was traveling on was captured by pirates,

and Read decided that a pirate’s life was for her.
and Read decided that a pirate’s life was for her.

When she later joined a new crew, a female pirate by the name of Anne Bonny took a liking
When she later joined a new crew, a female pirate by the name of Anne Bonny took a liking

to her.
to her.

In a scene straight out of a movie, Bonny attempted to seduce Read, only to discover
In a scene straight out of a movie, Bonny attempted to seduce Read, only to discover

that she, too, was a female pirate.
that she, too, was a female pirate.

The two became lifelong companions.
The two became lifelong companions.

After being captured in 1720, Read and Bonny became the only two women to ever be convicted
After being captured in 1720, Read and Bonny became the only two women to ever be convicted

of piracy.
of piracy.

One story tells of Read winning a duel by ripping her shirt open, and then taking advantage
One story tells of Read winning a duel by ripping her shirt open, and then taking advantage

of her opponent’s surprise to defeat him.
of her opponent’s surprise to defeat him.

9.
9.

Elagabus, Emperor (204 – 222 AD)
Elagabus, Emperor (204 – 222 AD)

Elagabus was made Emperor of Rome at the age of only 14, after successful political maneuvering
Elagabus was made Emperor of Rome at the age of only 14, after successful political maneuvering

by his maternal aunt.
by his maternal aunt.

During his reign as Emperor, he preferred women’s dress.
During his reign as Emperor, he preferred women’s dress.

He had his whole body depilated, wore makeup, and referred to his chariot driver Hierocles
He had his whole body depilated, wore makeup, and referred to his chariot driver Hierocles

as his husband.
as his husband.

He even made an offer of money to any doctor who could perform surgery on him to make him
He even made an offer of money to any doctor who could perform surgery on him to make him

biologically female.
biologically female.

None of this exactly made him popular in the highly traditional Rome of the time.
None of this exactly made him popular in the highly traditional Rome of the time.

His popularity also wasn’t helped by the fact that Elagabus married a priestess who’d
His popularity also wasn’t helped by the fact that Elagabus married a priestess who’d

been sworn to virginity, and instituted controversial sun-worshiping religious practices.
been sworn to virginity, and instituted controversial sun-worshiping religious practices.

He was assassinated in 222, at the age of only 18.
He was assassinated in 222, at the age of only 18.

8.
8.

Francois De Choisy, Writer (1644 – 1724)
Francois De Choisy, Writer (1644 – 1724)

French author Francois De Choisy was dressed as a girl by his mother until the age of 18.
French author Francois De Choisy was dressed as a girl by his mother until the age of 18.

Her reasons might have been political: De Choisy’s playmate, Philippe I, was also
Her reasons might have been political: De Choisy’s playmate, Philippe I, was also

encouraged to dress as a girl, possibly so that he would not be seen as posing a threat
encouraged to dress as a girl, possibly so that he would not be seen as posing a threat

to his older brother, King Louis XIV.
to his older brother, King Louis XIV.

As an adult, De Choisy took up male dress for a while but soon went back to his preferred
As an adult, De Choisy took up male dress for a while but soon went back to his preferred

female clothing.
female clothing.

Many young women of the day visited him for fashion advice, encouraged by their mothers.
Many young women of the day visited him for fashion advice, encouraged by their mothers.

He enjoyed their company: so much, in fact, that one ended up pregnant by him.
He enjoyed their company: so much, in fact, that one ended up pregnant by him.

Although he later wrote a number of historical and religious works, De Choisy is most famous
Although he later wrote a number of historical and religious works, De Choisy is most famous

for his tell-all book The Transvestite Memoirs, published in 1737.
for his tell-all book The Transvestite Memoirs, published in 1737.

7.
7.

Queen Christina of Sweden (1626-1689)
Queen Christina of Sweden (1626-1689)

Christina’s father wanted to make sure his daughter was tough enough to rule, and so
Christina’s father wanted to make sure his daughter was tough enough to rule, and so

gave her a ‘masculine’ upbringing: her favorite childhood hobby was bear-hunting.
gave her a ‘masculine’ upbringing: her favorite childhood hobby was bear-hunting.

Christina assumed the throne at age 18, but abdicated only ten years later under increasing
Christina assumed the throne at age 18, but abdicated only ten years later under increasing

pressure to marry and produce an heir.
pressure to marry and produce an heir.

Instead, she left Sweden dressed as a man, a practice she continued on and off for the
Instead, she left Sweden dressed as a man, a practice she continued on and off for the

rest of her life.
rest of her life.

She converted to Catholicism and moved to Rome, where she received special permission
She converted to Catholicism and moved to Rome, where she received special permission

to dress in men’s clothing.
to dress in men’s clothing.

She is one of only two women ever buried in St Peter’s Church in Rome.
She is one of only two women ever buried in St Peter’s Church in Rome.

6.
6.

Deborah Samson, Soldier (1760-1827)
Deborah Samson, Soldier (1760-1827)

At the age of 21, Samson dressed in men’s clothing and enlisted to fight in the American
At the age of 21, Samson dressed in men’s clothing and enlisted to fight in the American

Revolutionary War under the name of her deceased brother.
Revolutionary War under the name of her deceased brother.

Things went remarkably smoothly until she was wounded in battle: Samson was so scared
Things went remarkably smoothly until she was wounded in battle: Samson was so scared

of being found out that she instructed her fellow soldiers to leave her on the field
of being found out that she instructed her fellow soldiers to leave her on the field

to die, but they refused.
to die, but they refused.

She escaped from the hospital, and removed a bullet from her own thigh.
She escaped from the hospital, and removed a bullet from her own thigh.

Another hospitalization in 1783 finally revealed her secret, and Samson was given an honorary
Another hospitalization in 1783 finally revealed her secret, and Samson was given an honorary

discharge.
discharge.

Although she later married and had children, Samson did several speaking tours wearing
Although she later married and had children, Samson did several speaking tours wearing

her old military uniform.
her old military uniform.

She was the first known American to pass as a male in war, but definitely not the last.
She was the first known American to pass as a male in war, but definitely not the last.

Up to 400 women are thought to have fought in the Civil War while dressed as men.
Up to 400 women are thought to have fought in the Civil War while dressed as men.

5.
5.

Charles D’Eon, Diplomat (1728 – 1810)
Charles D’Eon, Diplomat (1728 – 1810)

A French soldier, spy and diplomat, D’Eon was sent to Russia in 1756 to reestablish
A French soldier, spy and diplomat, D’Eon was sent to Russia in 1756 to reestablish

diplomatic relations between the countries: he achieved this by dressing as a woman and
diplomatic relations between the countries: he achieved this by dressing as a woman and

becoming a maid of honor to the Russian Empress.
becoming a maid of honor to the Russian Empress.

Later, he worked as an ambassador in London, where at one point there was so much speculation
Later, he worked as an ambassador in London, where at one point there was so much speculation

on whether he was male or female that people actually placed bets on the London Stock Exchange.
on whether he was male or female that people actually placed bets on the London Stock Exchange.

On his return to France, D’Eon demanded that he be recognized as a woman, claiming
On his return to France, D’Eon demanded that he be recognized as a woman, claiming

that he had in fact been born female and raised as a boy because of an inheritance dispute.
that he had in fact been born female and raised as a boy because of an inheritance dispute.

The French King agreed, providing that he wear ‘appropriate’ women’s clothing.
The French King agreed, providing that he wear ‘appropriate’ women’s clothing.

Posthumously, medical examinations revealed D’Eon to be anatomically male.
Posthumously, medical examinations revealed D’Eon to be anatomically male.

4.
4.

Marina the Ascetic, Monk (Fifth Century)
Marina the Ascetic, Monk (Fifth Century)

Marina was born in modern-day Lebanon.
Marina was born in modern-day Lebanon.

When her father wanted to join a monastery, she insisted on coming with him, dressing
When her father wanted to join a monastery, she insisted on coming with him, dressing

as a man and taking the name Marinos.
as a man and taking the name Marinos.

After her father’s death, a girl who lived near the monastery fell pregnant and accused
After her father’s death, a girl who lived near the monastery fell pregnant and accused

Marinos of seducing her.
Marinos of seducing her.

When confronted, Marinos did not deny the allegations out of a desire to not embarrass
When confronted, Marinos did not deny the allegations out of a desire to not embarrass

the girl.
the girl.

The disgraced monk was forced to live outside the monastery and raise her accuser’s child
The disgraced monk was forced to live outside the monastery and raise her accuser’s child

for many years.
for many years.

When she died at around age 40, she was finally discovered to be female.
When she died at around age 40, she was finally discovered to be female.

Her former accuser confessed to the lie.
Her former accuser confessed to the lie.

Marina is only one of dozens of women throughout history thought to have entered religious
Marina is only one of dozens of women throughout history thought to have entered religious

life posing as men.
life posing as men.

There is even a story of an undercover female Pope, Pope Joan, although that one at least
There is even a story of an undercover female Pope, Pope Joan, although that one at least

has no historical basis.
has no historical basis.

3.
3.

Isabelle Eberhardt, Explorer (1877 – 1904)
Isabelle Eberhardt, Explorer (1877 – 1904)

Born in Switzerland, Eberhardt moved to North African in 1897, where she became an explorer
Born in Switzerland, Eberhardt moved to North African in 1897, where she became an explorer

under the assumed name of Si Mahmoud Essadi.
under the assumed name of Si Mahmoud Essadi.

Male clothing allowed her to move freely in Arab society, and she eventually joined the
Male clothing allowed her to move freely in Arab society, and she eventually joined the

Sufi sect Qadiriyya, impressing them so much with her piety that she was initiated as a
Sufi sect Qadiriyya, impressing them so much with her piety that she was initiated as a

faqir, a male member of the order.
faqir, a male member of the order.

During her short life, she also acted as a spy and briefly took up arms in an Algerian
During her short life, she also acted as a spy and briefly took up arms in an Algerian

revolt against France.
revolt against France.

2.
2.

Shi Pei-Pu, Spy (1938 – 2009)
Shi Pei-Pu, Spy (1938 – 2009)

Male opera singer Shi Pei-Pu met Bernard Boursicot, an employee at the French Embassy in Beijing,
Male opera singer Shi Pei-Pu met Bernard Boursicot, an employee at the French Embassy in Beijing,

when Shi was 26.
when Shi was 26.

After convincing Boursicot that he was actually a woman dressed as a man, they began an affair.
After convincing Boursicot that he was actually a woman dressed as a man, they began an affair.

Amazingly, the charade continued for 20 years, with Shi at one stage claiming to have borne
Amazingly, the charade continued for 20 years, with Shi at one stage claiming to have borne

him a son.
him a son.

Boursicot even began handing over secret documents to the Chinese in order to help Shi’s position
Boursicot even began handing over secret documents to the Chinese in order to help Shi’s position

in the Communist party.
in the Communist party.

In 1982, Boursicot brought Shi and his son to Paris, where they were eventually arrested
In 1982, Boursicot brought Shi and his son to Paris, where they were eventually arrested

for espionage.
for espionage.

When Shi’s identity was revealed, Boursicot physically attacked him, slashing his throat.
When Shi’s identity was revealed, Boursicot physically attacked him, slashing his throat.

Shi survived.
Shi survived.

A successful play and then movie, M. Butterfly, was loosely based on Shi’s life.
A successful play and then movie, M. Butterfly, was loosely based on Shi’s life.

1.
1.

Joan of Arc, Soldier (1412 – 1431)
Joan of Arc, Soldier (1412 – 1431)

During the Hundred Years War, when large areas of France were occupied by the English, this
During the Hundred Years War, when large areas of France were occupied by the English, this

young peasant girl heard heavenly voices commanding her to cut her hair, dress as a man, and go
young peasant girl heard heavenly voices commanding her to cut her hair, dress as a man, and go

lead an army.
lead an army.

Joan convinced Charles VII, the French claimant to the throne, that she was for real, and
Joan convinced Charles VII, the French claimant to the throne, that she was for real, and

was given an army and supplies.
was given an army and supplies.

She led a series of military successes that ended with Charles being crowned King.
She led a series of military successes that ended with Charles being crowned King.

At the age of 19, Joan was captured and handed over to a pro-English Bishop, who subjected
At the age of 19, Joan was captured and handed over to a pro-English Bishop, who subjected

her to an illegal trial.
her to an illegal trial.

In Europe at the time, cross-dressing was actually condoned, providing that a woman
In Europe at the time, cross-dressing was actually condoned, providing that a woman

did it for safety or protection.
did it for safety or protection.

Nevertheless, Joan was convicted of ‘relapsed heresy’ when she took up male dress again
Nevertheless, Joan was convicted of ‘relapsed heresy’ when she took up male dress again

in prison, probably after a rape attempt.
in prison, probably after a rape attempt.

She was burned at the stake.
She was burned at the stake.

Later, the unjust decision was overturned in court, and Joan is now considered a saint
Later, the unjust decision was overturned in court, and Joan is now considered a saint

by the Catholic Church and a heroine of France.
by the Catholic Church and a heroine of France.