London, Edward Arnold, 1924, 1st edition. 479 pp, 21 ills, 2 maps. This biography of Horace Benedict de Saussure, the person who instigated the first ascent of Mont Blanc won Freshfield a doctorate of Laws from the University of Geneva. Neate calls it 'A delightful study of early mountaineering...' Large hardcover in original brown cloth, gold spine letters and title still bright. Light edge wear and frayed at the top of spine, corner bumps, no foxing or internal marks. Near Fine.
Large book; extra postage will be requested for Priority Mail or International Mail.
Douglas Freshfield was a prominent member of the Royal Geographical Society. He was a pioneer climber in the Caucasus, the Himalayas, and the mountainous regions of many other countries. Although the dominating interest of his life was mountain exploration, and though he continuously devoted his leisure to the affairs of Royal Geographical Society and of his beloved Alpine Club, he found time for many other activities. He served for several years as Treasurer of the Hellenic and Roman Societies, as Chairman of the Committe of the Society of Authors.
In 1899 he visited India, Burma, and Ceylon, accomplishing his second greatest journey of exploration by the first circuit of Kangchenjunga. He was accompanied by Professor Garwood, who produced a map which was considered the best for the whole district. His last great journey was made at sixty years of age. Returning from the meeting of the British Association in South Africa in 1905 when he made an attempt on Ruwenzori, then still known as the mysterious Mountains of the Moon. Mr. Freshfield edited the Alpine Journal and wrote The Exploration of the Caucasus, Round Kangchenjunga, Italian Alps, a biography of H. B. de Saussure, and Below the Snow Line.
