Robert Tatum
Personal information | |
---|---|
Main discipline | Mountain climber |
Other disciplines | Episcopal priest |
Born | Knoxville, Tennessee | August 20, 1891
Died | January 27, 1964 | (aged 72)
Nationality | American |
Career | |
Starting age | 21 |
Starting discipline | Surveyor |
Notable ascents | Denali (Mount McKinley) (June 7, 1913) |
Robert George Tatum (August 20, 1891 – January 27, 1964) was an American
Early life
Tatum was born on August 20, 1891, in Knoxville, Tennessee, the son of George, a photographer, and Emma Tatum. He grew up in Knoxville, and went to Sewanee: The University of the South.[1] In June 1911 he moved to Nenana, Alaska, to visit his brother Howard, who was working at an Army outpost. That summer, Robert worked as a surveyor for the government; after that he taught at an Episcopalian mission school.[2][3]
Denali expedition
Episcopalian archdeacon
On March 17, 1913, the expedition left Nenana to climb McKinley. Besides Stuck and Tatum (who was the cook),
On June 6, they arrived at their final camp after three months of sometimes very dangerous climbing.[3]
Early the next morning, the party set off to reach the summit. Around noon, they finally reached the top of Mount McKinley, at an elevation of 20,310 feet (6,190 m).[6] During the hour and a half they spent on the summit, Tatum planted a flag he had made earlier out of handkerchiefs and other miscellaneous items. He compared the view to "looking out of a window of heaven." They began the descent, which only took two days to get back to base camp. They returned to Tanana on June 20, just over three months since they left.[3]
Later life
During World War I, Tatum served as a Corporal in the US Army.[7]
On June 7, 1922, Tatum was ordained an
Legacy
References
- ^ Shearer, John (June 11, 2013). "Knoxvillian Robert Tatum was among first to climb Mt. McKinley". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
- ^ a b "Robert G. Tatum Photo Album, 1913–1917". University of Tennessee. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
- ^ a b c d e Moutoux, John T. (May 22, 1932). "Ascending the steep roof of the continent Just to 'look out the windows of heaven'". The Knoxville News-Sentinel. Denali 2013. Archived from the original on September 25, 2013. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
- ^ "Dr. Stuck scales Mount M'Kinley" (PDF). The New York Times. June 21, 1913. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
- ^ ISBN 0-89886-362-7.
- USGS. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
- user-generated source]
- ^ This article incorporates public domain material from Feature Detail Report for: Mount Tatum. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
External links
- Robert Tatum at Peakbagger.com
- Robert G. Tatum Collection