Edmund Hillary was a modest man from the countryside of New Zealand. Despite being a quiet beekeeper, he took on the enormous challenge of climbing the tallest mountain in the world, Mount Everest. With determination, he famously said he managed to “knock the bastard off.” After this incredible achievement, he used his fame to help the people of Nepal, creating a legacy that went beyond just breaking records. Let’s dive into the life and accomplishments of Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person to reach the summit of Mount Everest.
Edmund Percival Hillary was born on July 20, 1919, in Auckland, New Zealand. His father, Percival Augustus, received a piece of land for his service in World War I, so the family moved to a farming community called Tuakau. Edmund had a sister named June and a younger brother named Rex. June once said that Ed was the smart one, Rex was the handsome one, and she was the girl.
Edmund’s mother played a crucial role in keeping the family together, managing their finances and ensuring the children were well cared for. The Hillary kids were adventurous, often getting into mischief. Once, Ed and Rex swapped bikes, and Rex accidentally crashed into a car. Luckily, he wasn’t hurt, but Ed was more worried about his bike and his father’s reaction.
Even though Ed’s father was a pacifist, he had a temper, especially towards Ed. Despite being afraid of punishment, Ed never admitted to doing anything wrong. He felt lonely during his early years, struggling to make friends in primary school. Instead of playing with other kids, he focused on his studies, which allowed him to enter high school two years early. This made him feel even more out of place, especially at Auckland Grammar School, where many students were wealthier than him.
Ed found comfort in books, especially those about mountaineering. His father ran a local newspaper and worked as a beekeeper. In 1935, during Ed’s last year at Auckland Grammar, the family moved to Remuera, where beekeeping became their main income source. This move saved Ed from a long daily train ride.
After high school, Ed went to the University of Auckland to study mathematics and science. He joined the university’s tramping club, where his long stride and endurance made him a standout hiker. Although he took boxing and jiu-jitsu lessons, he preferred outdoor adventures. In 1938, struggling with his studies, Ed left university to work with his father in the beekeeping business, where his physical strength was an asset.
When World War II began in 1939, it seemed likely that both Hillary brothers would be drafted. However, their father secured exemptions for himself and Ed due to their beekeeping work. This decision, made without Ed’s knowledge, left Rex to serve in the military as a conscientious objector. Ed, who would have willingly joined the military, felt frustrated by his father’s actions. Eventually, in 1944, he joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force, where he encountered towering mountains during his training as a flight navigator.
During this time, Ed made his first solo climb of Mount Tapuaenuku, sparking his passion for mountaineering. He returned to military service in the Pacific Islands, where he saw the struggles of local children, inspiring his future humanitarian efforts.
In 1953, plans were made for a New Zealand team to attempt climbing Mount Everest. Ed was eager to join this expedition, which was a significant challenge that had claimed many lives before. After much preparation, he and a team of climbers set off for Everest. They faced numerous challenges, including navigating the dangerous Khumbu Icefall and adjusting to the high altitude.
On May 28, 1953, Ed and his climbing partner, Tenzing Norgay, made their final push to the summit. After overcoming many obstacles, they reached the top of Everest on May 29, 1953. The news of their success spread quickly, and Ed returned to New Zealand as a national hero, receiving many honors, including being knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.
After his historic climb, Hillary dedicated himself to helping the people of Nepal. He established the Himalayan Trust to support education and healthcare for Sherpa communities. Tragically, in 1975, he lost his wife and daughter in a plane crash, which deeply affected him. Despite personal hardships, he continued his philanthropic efforts.
Hillary’s health declined in the late 1990s, and he passed away on January 11, 2008, in Auckland. His death was mourned nationwide, and he was honored with a state funeral. A thanksgiving service was held in his memory at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, attended by Gurkha soldiers from Nepal, reflecting the respect he earned through his contributions to the region.
Research the timeline of Edmund Hillary’s life and create a visual timeline poster. Include key events such as his early life, his first climb, the Everest expedition, and his philanthropic work. Present your poster to the class and explain how each event contributed to his legacy.
In groups, reenact the 1953 Everest expedition. Assign roles such as Edmund Hillary, Tenzing Norgay, and other team members. Discuss the challenges faced during the climb and how teamwork and determination helped them succeed. Perform your role-play for the class.
Imagine you are Edmund Hillary on the night before reaching the summit of Everest. Write a diary entry expressing your thoughts, fears, and hopes. Share your entry with a partner and discuss how Hillary’s determination and mindset might have influenced his success.
Inspired by Hillary’s work in Nepal, design a project that addresses a need in your community. Outline the project’s goals, the resources needed, and the impact you hope to achieve. Present your project to the class and discuss how it reflects Hillary’s legacy of giving back.
Participate in a workshop that introduces basic mountaineering skills, such as knot tying, navigation, and safety measures. Reflect on how these skills were crucial for Hillary’s success on Everest. Discuss with your classmates how preparation and knowledge can help overcome challenges.
**Edmund Hillary**
Edmund Hillary was a humble individual from rural New Zealand. This shy beekeeper took on the monumental challenge of climbing the world’s highest mountain. Through sheer determination, he famously stated that he managed to “knock the bastard off.” Following this achievement, he utilized his newfound fame to improve the lives of the Nepalese people, leaving behind a legacy that transcends mere records. This week’s Biographics explores the life and accomplishments of Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man to climb Mount Everest.
**Formative Years**
Edmund Percival Hillary was born on July 20, 1919, in Auckland, New Zealand. Shortly after his birth, his father, Percival Augustus, received a land grant in recognition of his service during World War I. Consequently, the family, which included three-year-old June, relocated to the farming settlement of Tuakau, where a younger brother, Rex, soon joined them. June later described the three siblings as follows: Ed had the brains, Rex had the looks, and she was the girl.
According to Ed’s recollections, it was his mother who held the family together, managing finances and ensuring the children were well cared for. This was no easy task, as the Hillary children had an adventurous streak that often led them to push boundaries. On one occasion, Ed and Rex swapped bicycles, with Ed riding one that was too small for him. Rex struggled to control the larger bike and, in a moment of excitement, collided with a car. Fortunately, he was unharmed, but Ed was more concerned about the state of his bike and the reaction of his father.
Although Percy was a pacifist, he had a temper, which was often directed at his oldest son. Despite his fear of punishment, Ed was determined never to admit wrongdoing. His early years were marked by loneliness, as he struggled to make friends during primary school. While other children played, he focused on extra tuition, allowing him to enter high school two years ahead of his peers. This only intensified his feelings of social awkwardness, especially at Auckland Grammar School, where he felt out of place among wealthier classmates.
Ed found solace in books, particularly those on mountaineering, which captivated him. His father ran a local newspaper and also worked as a beekeeper. In 1935, during Ed’s final year at Auckland Grammar, the family moved to the suburb of Remuera, where beekeeping became their main source of income. This change relieved Ed of his long daily train commute.
**A Taste of the Mountains**
After high school, Ed attended the University of Auckland, where he studied mathematics and science and joined the university tramping club. His long stride and stamina quickly made him a standout bushwalker. Although he took boxing and jiu-jitsu lessons, he preferred outdoor challenges. In 1938, struggling academically, Ed dropped out of university to join his father in the beekeeping business, where his physical strength was well-suited to the demanding work.
When World War II broke out in 1939, it seemed likely that both Hillary brothers would be drafted. However, their father managed to secure exemptions for himself and Ed due to their work in beekeeping. This decision, made without Ed’s knowledge, left Rex to serve in the military as a conscientious objector. Ed, who would have willingly enlisted, felt frustrated by his father’s interference. Eventually, in 1944, he joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force, where he encountered towering mountains during his training as a flight navigator.
During this time, Ed made his first solo climb of Mount Tapuaenuku, which ignited his passion for mountaineering. He returned to his military service in the Pacific Islands, where he witnessed the struggles of local children, which later inspired his humanitarian efforts.
**Victory on Everest**
In 1953, plans were underway for a New Zealand party to attempt an ascent of Mount Everest. Ed was eager to join the expedition, which was a significant challenge that had claimed many lives in the past. After much preparation, he and a team of climbers set off for Everest. The expedition faced numerous challenges, including navigating the treacherous Khumbu Icefall and acclimatizing to the high altitude.
On May 28, 1953, Ed and his climbing partner, Tenzing Norgay, made their final ascent to the summit. After overcoming numerous obstacles, they reached the top of Everest on May 29, 1953. The news of their success spread quickly, and Ed returned to New Zealand a national hero, receiving accolades and honors, including being knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.
**Philanthropy and Final Rest**
In the years following his historic climb, Hillary dedicated himself to humanitarian work in Nepal, establishing the Himalayan Trust to support education and healthcare for Sherpa communities. Tragically, in 1975, he lost his wife and daughter in a plane crash, which deeply affected him. Despite personal hardships, he continued his philanthropic efforts.
Hillary’s health declined in the late 1990s, and he passed away on January 11, 2008, in Auckland. His death prompted national mourning, and he was honored with a state funeral. A thanksgiving service was held in his memory at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, attended by Gurkha soldiers from Nepal, reflecting the respect he earned through his contributions to the region.
Edmund – A reference to Sir Edmund Hillary, a New Zealand mountaineer and explorer who was one of the first two people confirmed to reach the summit of Mount Everest. – Edmund Hillary’s successful ascent of Mount Everest in 1953 made him a hero in the world of exploration.
Hillary – Referring to Sir Edmund Hillary, known for his historic climb of Mount Everest. – Hillary’s achievements in mountaineering have inspired countless adventurers around the globe.
Everest – The highest mountain in the world, located in the Himalayas on the border between Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. – Climbing Mount Everest is considered one of the greatest challenges in the world of mountaineering.
Nepal – A country in South Asia, home to the Himalayas and Mount Everest. – Nepal attracts thousands of tourists each year who come to trek its beautiful mountain trails.
Mount – A term used to describe a mountain, often used as a prefix in the names of mountains. – Mount Everest is the tallest mountain on Earth, standing at 8,848 meters above sea level.
Philanthropy – The desire to promote the welfare of others, often expressed by the generous donation of money to good causes. – After his successful climb, Edmund Hillary engaged in philanthropy by building schools and hospitals in Nepal.
World – The earth, together with all of its countries, peoples, and natural features. – The world watched in awe as the first climbers reached the summit of Mount Everest.
War – A state of armed conflict between different countries or different groups within a country. – World War II had a significant impact on global politics and geography.
School – An institution for educating children or a place where people go to learn about a particular subject. – Edmund Hillary’s philanthropy included building a school in a remote village in Nepal.
Geography – The study of the physical features of the earth and its atmosphere, and of human activity as it affects and is affected by these. – In geography class, students learned about the diverse landscapes and cultures of Nepal.
