Writer's File
Edmund Hillary
Deceased
In brief
Sir Edmund Hillary was a mountaineer and explorer. He was the first man to scale Mount Everest, a feat which has made him a national icon. His autobiography, View from the Summit (1999) tells the story of a life of outdoor adventure, international diplomacy, and philanthropy in the Nepalese Himalayas. Edmund Hillary was knighted for his 1953 ascent of Everest, with Sherpa mountaineer Tenzing Norga. He served in the New Zealand Air Force and he was also a New Zealand High Commissioner.
Bio
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hillary, Edmund (1919 - 2008) was the first man to scale Mount Everest. He is a national icon, and remains one of New Zealand's most recognised figures.
His work, Nothing Venture, Nothing Win (Hodder & Stoughton) received first place at the 1975 Goodman Fielder Wattie Book Awards.
His autobiography, View from the Summit (1999) tells the story of a life of outdoor adventure, international diplomacy, and philanthropy in the Nepalese Himalayas, where he has attained an almost mythical status.
Edmund Hillary was knighted for his ascent of Everest in 1953. He served in the New Zealand Air Force during the Second World War. He was New Zealand's High Commissioner in India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bhutan.
He died at home in New Zealand at the age of 88.
