John Blashford-Snell

Colonel John Nicholas Blashford-Snell OBE (born 22 October 1936) is a former British Army officer, explorer and author.

John Blashford-Snell was educated at Victoria College, Jersey and at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, then commissioned into the Royal Engineers.[1]

Amongst his expeditions have been the first descent of the Blue Nile (in 1968); crossing of the Darién Gap (1971 to 1972) and overseeing the first north–south vehicular journey from Alaska to Cape Horn; and a complete navigation of the Congo River (in 1974 to 1975).[1]

In 1969, he founded the Scientific Exploration Society.[2]

In 1978 he established Operation Drake, which later developed into Operation Raleigh, an educational initiative for young people, of which was Director General until he retired from this post in 1991.[3]

He was awarded the Segrave Trophy in 1974.[4][5]

In 1993, he was awarded the Patron's Gold Medal of the Royal Geographical Society.[6]

In 2006 Blashford-Snell helped the London hatmakers James Lock to design a hat especially to meet the needs of explorers.[7] Since 2001 he has been the Hon. Life President of the Centre for Fortean Zoology.[8] He is also a member of the Ghost Club.[9] In 2010 he was made an Honorary Fellow of Liverpool John Moores University[10]

His publications include an autobiography, Something Lost Behind the Ranges (1994).

Works

References

  1. ^ a b Jersey Evening Post
  2. ^ Scientific Exploration Society, accessed 25 January 2010
  3. ^ About Operation Raleigh
  4. ^ This is North Devon
  5. ^ Royal Automobile Club
  6. ^ Gold Medal Recipients, Royal Geographical Society, accessed 25 January 2010
  7. ^ Country Life, "Hats off to Blashers", 29 June 2006
  8. ^ Permanent Directorate, Centre for Fortean Zoology, accessed 25 January 2010
  9. ^ History of the Ghost Club
  10. ^ [1], Honorary Fellowships 2010, Liverpool John Moores University, accessed 7 November 2010

External links