Geoffrey Winthrop Young

Geoffrey Winthrop Young (25 October 1876 – 8 September 1958) was a British climber, poet, educator, and author known for his contributions to mountaineering. Born in Kensington as the middle son of Sir George Young, 3rd Baronet, he grew up at Formosa Place in Berkshire. His mother, Alice Eacy Kennedy, had previously lived in India before remarrying Sir George. Winthrop's brother Edward Hilton Young later became the 1st Baron Kennet. Young began climbing during his time at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he studied Classics and won the Chancellor's Medal for English Verse. He wrote *The Roof-Climber's Guide to Trinity*, a humorous guidebook for climbers. During the Edwardian period, he achieved notable climbs in the Alps, including dangerous routes like the Dangers Are More Frequent in War-Time descent. In World War I, Young worked as a correspondent before joining the Friends' Ambulance Unit. He was seriously injured and lost a leg but continued climbing using an artificial limb. After the war, he married Eleanor and had two children. His wife supported his return to mountaineering. Young authored several books on mountaineering, including *Mountain Craft* (1920), which became a seminal text in the field. He worked with the Rockefeller Foundation and helped Kurt Hahn immigrate to England, influencing outdoor education movements like Outward Bound and the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. During World War II, Young was president of the Alpine Club and played a key role in founding the British Mountaineering Council in 1945. His legacy includes significant contributions to mountaineering ...