Jean Barret's Early Life and Training

Jean Barret was born in 1740 in a rural area of France, to a family of day laborers facing economic hardship. Little is known about her upbringing, but she may have been trained as an herb woman, possessing knowledge of medicinal plants passed down through oral tradition. Her early work with Philibert Commerson, a botanist from a wealthy background, eventually evolved from domestic service to assisting with botanical research. This transition not only provided her a more stable income but also opened doors to unique opportunities that challenged the societal norms of women in her time.