19 Facts About Edward Whymper

Edward Whymper FRSE was an English mountaineer, explorer, illustrator, and author best known for the first ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865.

Edward Whymper wrote several books on mountaineering, including Scrambles Amongst the Alps.

Edward Whymper was born at Lambeth Terrace on Kennington Road in London on 27 April 1840 to the artist and wood engraver Josiah Wood Whymper and Elizabeth Whitworth Claridge.

Edward Whymper was the second of eleven children, his older brother being the artist and explorer Frederick Whymper.

Edward Whymper was trained to be a wood-engraver at an early age.

In 1861, Edward Whymper successfully completed the ascent of Mont Pelvoux, the first of a series of expeditions that threw much needed light on the topography of an area which at the time was very poorly mapped.

Professor John Tyndall and Edward Whymper emulated each other in determined attempts to reach the summit of the Matterhorn by the south-western, or Italian, ridge.

In 1865, Edward Whymper, who had failed eight times already, attempted unsuccessfully to climb a couloir on the south-east face with Michel Croz.

Edward Whymper was convinced that the Matterhorn's precipitous appearance when viewed from Zermatt was an optical illusion, and that the dip of the strata, which on the Italian side formed a continuous series of overhangs, should make the opposite side a natural staircase.

Edward Whymper had suggested to Hudson that they should have attached a rope to the rocks on the most difficult place, and held it as they descended, as an additional protection.

Edward Whymper's report was published in the report of the British Association of 1869.

Edward Whymper next organised an expedition to Ecuador, designed primarily to collect data for the study of altitude sickness and the effect of reduced pressure on the human body.

Edward Whymper spent a night on the summit of Cotopaxi and made first ascents of Sincholagua, Antisana, Cayambe, Sara Urco and Cotacachi.

Edward Whymper afterwards published two guide-books to Zermatt and Chamonix.

Edward Whymper illustrated books for Isabella L Bird but his brother Charles Whymper was the designer of the Henrietta Amelia Bird memorial clock tower in Tobermory, Isle of Mull, Scotland.

On 25 April 1906, aged 65, Edward Whymper married Edith Mary Lewin aged 23 was born on 1883 and at Emmanuel Church in Forest Gate, Essex.

Shortly after returning to Chamonix from another climb in the Alps, Edward Whymper became ill, locked himself in his room at the Grand Hotel Couttet, and refused all medical treatment.

Edward Whymper died alone on 16 September 1911, at the age of 71.

Edward Whymper is buried in the English cemetery in Chamonix.