Barbara Washburn
Encyclopedia
Barbara Washburn is an American mountaineer. The widow of mountaineer and scientist Bradford Washburn
, she became the first woman to climb Mt. McKinley on June 6, 1947.
With her husband, she completed a large-scale map of the Grand Canyon, published as a National Geographic magazine
supplement in July 1978. For that achievement and others, the Washburns received in 1980 the Alexander Graham Bell Medal from the National Geographic Society
.
In 1981, the Washburns produced the most detailed and accurate map ever made of Mount Everest.
Bradford Washburn
Henry Bradford Washburn, Jr. was an American explorer, mountaineer, photographer, and cartographer. He established the Boston Museum of Science, served as its director from 1939–1980, and from 1985 until his death served as its Honorary Director .Washburn is especially noted for exploits in four...
, she became the first woman to climb Mt. McKinley on June 6, 1947.
Biography
Born in the Boston area, Washburn met her husband while taking courses at Harvard University. The Washburns often worked in tandem in areas of mountaineering, exploring, mapping, and museum administration. She did not realize that she had been the first woman to climb McKinley until after their ascent, which occurred shortly after their wedding. From that time on, she typically accompanied her husband on his expeditions, and contributed to his work at the Boston Museum of Science.With her husband, she completed a large-scale map of the Grand Canyon, published as a National Geographic magazine
National Geographic Magazine
National Geographic, formerly the National Geographic Magazine, is the official journal of the National Geographic Society. It published its first issue in 1888, just nine months after the Society itself was founded...
supplement in July 1978. For that achievement and others, the Washburns received in 1980 the Alexander Graham Bell Medal from the National Geographic Society
National Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society , headquartered in Washington, D.C. in the United States, is one of the largest non-profit scientific and educational institutions in the world. Its interests include geography, archaeology and natural science, the promotion of environmental and historical...
.
In 1981, the Washburns produced the most detailed and accurate map ever made of Mount Everest.
External links
- http://www.nationalgeographic.com/field/explorers/washburns.html
- http://uaf-db.uaf.edu/Jukebox/DENALI/html/bawa.htm