Alexandrine Petronella Francina Tinne ( October 17 , 1835 -- August 1 , 1869 ) , also spelled Pieternella , FranÃ oise , and TinnÃ was a Dutch explorer in Africa and the first European woman to try to cross the Sahara Desert . Alexandrine Petronella Francina Tinne ( alternative spellings : Pieternella , FranÃ oise , TinnÃ ) ( October 17 , 1835 â `` August 1 , 1869 ) was a Dutch explorer in Africa and the first European woman to attempt to cross the Sahara .