Geoffrey Summers was born on 2 September 1891 in Greenfield, Yorkshire. He was educated at Uppingham School and Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, graduating with a degree in engineering. In 1912, he joined the family firm, John Summers and Sons Ltd., Steel Manufacturers, later serving as its director from 1921 until 1967. During the First World War, he served with the Royal Engineers. In 1923, he joined the Merton College (Oxford) Arctic Expedition to Svalbard (leader George Binney), as ship's carpenter and engineer. He was an experienced mountaineer, climbing in Norway, the European Alps, the Canadian Rockies and the Andes. In 1942, he was awarded the CBE and, in 1952, he was given a baronetcy for his public work, which included the chairmanship of Flintshire County Council, and the offices of High Sheriff and Deputy Lieutenant of Flintshire. He died on 17 January 1972.
From the guide to the Geoffrey Summers collection, 1923-1924, (Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge)
