Edmund Hillary From beekeeper to world explorerFIRST MAN ON MT. EVEREST

Edmund HillaryGeneral DetailsBorn: Jul 20, 1919 in Auckland, Dominion of New ZealandDied: Jan 11, 2008 (at age 88) in Auckland, New ZealandNationality: New ZealandOccupation: Mountaineer, explorer, philanthropist

Sir Edmund Hillary achieved both fame and infamy as a legendary explorer. His fame came from being the first man to ever climb to the top of Mount Everest. His infamy derived from his ludicrous search for the Abominable Snowman.

Early YearsEdmund Percival Hillary was born on July 20, 1919 in Auckland, New Zealand. He became famous less than three decades after his birth. As a young boy, Hillary was smaller than the majority of other children. Since he was smaller, he avoided sports, and loved to read instead. He would read a number of adventure stories, and dream about going on adventures. This background of adventure stories helped inspire him to climb mountains later in life.

EducationAs a child, Hillary attended the Tuakau Primary School, and then Auckland Grammar School. He was advanced for his age, and he finished primary school two years earlier than he was supposed to. However, he had difficulty in high school, and only received average grades.

Auckland Grammar School

Family Life•Hillary was a beekeeper with his brother Rex. •He married Louise Mary Rose in 1953, and had three children – Sarah, Belinda and Peter.•In 1975, after only 22 years of marriage, Louise was killed in an airplane crash along with their 16 year old daughter Belinda.•In 1989, 14 years after Louise had died, he married June Mulgrew, a lifetime friend.

•His son, Peter Hillary, climbed to the top of Mount Everest in 1990.

•Sarah and Peter, his children, are still living today. As of 2013 they are in their mid 50s.

•Hillary had six grandchildren.

Everest ExpeditionIn the fifties, the road to Everest was controlled by Tibet. Only one expedition to climb Mount Everest was allowed each year.The crew often experienced snow and wind which would delay their travel. The trip up the mountain was extremely difficult and when they neared the summit, only four men were able to continue. Bourdillion and Evans got within 300 feet and had to turn back in May because Evans’ oxygen system didn’t work. Hillary was paired with Tenzing Norgay and they made the final attempt to make it to the summit.

At the summitThey stayed at the summit for 15 minutes. Hillary took a photograph of Tenzing to commemorate the moment. There is no picture of Hillary atop Mount Everest because his friend Tenzing did not know how to use a camera.

Hillary left a cross on top and Norgay left an offering of chocolates.

Because of his efforts, Hillary was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II . Norgay received a medal for his efforts because the Indian Prime Minister refused to allow him to be knighted.

World War IIHe was a navigator with the New Zealand Royal Air Force during WWII. But could not serve his country for long because of a major injury he sustained during the war.

.

Other Accomplishments of Sir Edmund Hillary•After tackling Mount Everest, Hillary continued to climb mountains and explore new adventures.

•In 1955 Hillary joined the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition that crossed Antarctic over land, via the South Pole from 1955 to 1958. Hillary was the first man to reach both of the poles of the Earth.

•In 1977, Hillary led a team that traced the route of the Ganges River from its mouth all the way to its source in the Himalayas.

•He asked the government to protect the area around Mount Everest and make it a national park. He convinced the government of New Zealand to help.

Tributes•He received an award from the government of India called the Padma Vibhushan, which is its second highest award for civilians.

• For his work with the Antarctica expedition, he was given the Polar Medal. 

•On the fiftieth anniversary of his climb to the top of Mount Everest, he was made an honorary citizen of Nepal.           

•Two geographical features are named after him: the Hillary Coast in Antarctica and the Hillary Canyon, which is under water in the Ross Sea•.•In 1985, he was appointed the New Zealand High Commissioner to India.

•Time magazine named him as one of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century.

•On January 11, 2010, the Hillary Trail was opened in the Waitakere Ranges.

Books•High Adventure-1955•View from the Summit-1998•From the Ocean to the Sky-1979•No Latitude for Error-1961

Later YearsHe founded the Himalayan Trust to continue humanitarian efforts for the Sherpa people and to help conservation efforts. As the years passed, he became more and more concerned with the welfare of the Nepalese people. In the 1960s, he returned to Nepal, to aid in the development of the society, building clinics, hospitals and 17 schools. To facilitate these projects, two airstrips were built. These airstrips had the unforeseen consequence of bringing more tourists and would-be mountain climbers to the remote region.

Hillary's picture appeared on the New Zealand five dollar note. He appeared on it in 1992, which made him the

first New Zealander to appear on money during his own lifetime.

Sir Edmund Hillary’s DeathOn January 11, 2008, at the age of 88, Hillary died of heart failure at the

Auckland City Hospital at about 9 a.m.A large state funeral was held in his honor at Holy Trinity Cathedral, and the country of New Zealand mourned their deceased adventurer climber.

Respect to his companionTenzing Norgay

Thank you for WatchingAbhinav Sharma

IX-B

Source: Internet