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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Edward Whymper
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(1840–1911) The best known of the many British climbers who pioneered the sport of mountaineering, mainly in Switzerland, in the mid-19C. His most famous achievement was reaching the peak of the Matterhorn (4477m/14,688ft) on his seventh attempt, in 1865. On the way down one of the party slipped and fell. Three others were pulled off the slope before the rope broke – a failure of equipment which saved the life of Whymper and two guides. Details such as this made bestsellers of Whymper's books about his adventures, embellished with his own illustrations (he was a trained wood engraver). In 1880 he climbed in the Andes and was able to describe for his readers a night on the volcanic summit of Cotopaxi (5897m/19,347ft).
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