Edward Whymper

Edward Whymper
Edward Whymper, engraving, 1881
Personal information
NationalityEnglish
Born(1840-04-27)27 April 1840
London, England
Died16 September 1911(1911-09-16) (aged 71)
Chamonix, France
Occupation(s)Mountaineer, illustrator, author
Climbing career
Known forFirst ascent of the Matterhorn
First ascents

Edward Whymper FRSE (27 April 1840 – 16 September 1911) was an English mountaineer, explorer, illustrator, and author best known for the first ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865. Four members of his climbing party were killed during the descent.[1][2] Whymper also made important first ascents on the Mont Blanc massif and in the Pennine Alps, Chimborazo in South America, and the Canadian Rockies. His exploration of Greenland contributed an important advance to Arctic exploration. Whymper wrote several books on mountaineering, including Scrambles Amongst the Alps.

  1. ^ Fleming, Fergus (3 November 2000). "Cliffhanger at the top of the world". The Guardian.
  2. ^ "Blueplaque commemorates Matterhorn climber Edward Whymper". The Guardian. 15 September 2011.