Washburn, Bradford, 1910-2007

Explorer, scientist, and mountaineer Bradford Washburn pioneered the West Buttress route to the summit of Mount McKinley. He is the definitive cartographer of Mount McKinley and Mount Everest.

Bradford Washburn is an explorer, geographer, and former director of the Museum of Science in Boston.

Born June 7th, 1910 in Boston, Massachusetts to Edith and Henry Washburn. Bradford was soon to complete his first literary work by the age of nine entitled "Fishing, What a Boy Thinks," for The Churchman in 1919. This was only the beginning of an outstanding career which continues into the year 2000. Not only has he proved himself an accomplished writer, he has also spent more than sixty years piloting, climbing, mapping, and exploring the highest mountains in North America, the Alps, and Mount Everest. Along with Barbara, his wife, they have mapped Mt. McKinley, the Grand Canyon and Mount Everest.

Washburn earned his pilot's license in 1934. He was also fascinated with radio and became an expert in aeronautical radio navigation. In 1937 he spent a weekend with Amelia Earhart and her husband, George Putnam. Because he was well known to Putnam, skilled as a pilot, a radio operator and had lots of experience in the Lockheed Electra, Washburn was considered for Earhart's round the world flight. However, he backed out because of safety considerations.

He has served as the Director of Boston's Museum of Science from 1939 until his retirement in 1980. He currently serves as their Honorary Director.