Entry Type | Person |
Surname | Longland |
Forenames | John Laurence 'Jack' |
Also Known As | Longland, Jack |
Title | Sir |
Place | Buxton |
Epithet | Educator, mountain climber, and broadcaster |
Dates | 1905-1993 |
Biography | A keen athlete and climber, Longland climbed Mount Everest in 1933 and the route up the West Buttress of Clogwyn d’ur Arddu (Snowdonia, Wales) was first taken by him and is now known as Longland's Climb. He had studied at Cambridge University (King's College), where he met Geoffrey Winthrop Young and was first employed as a lecturer in English at Durham University. In 1937 he began a long and distinguished career in public service, becoming Director of the Community Service Council for Durham.
While Director of Education for Derbyshire (1949-1970), he established White Hall near Buxton, Derbyshire, the country's first local authority Outdoor Pursuits Centre for young people.
Longland was a frequent panellist on BBC Radio 4's 'Any Questions?' and 'Round Britain Quiz' as well as presenter of 'Country Questions' (late 1940s-1950s) and 'My Word!' (1957-1977).
He was also involved in a large number of organisations and committees, including the Climber's Club (chair), the Sports Council (Vice chair 1966-1974), the Mountain Leadership Training Board (Chair 1964-1980), the Council of Environmental Education (Chair 1968-1975), and the Alpine Club (President 1973-1976). |
Born | 26 |
Died | 29 |
Key Events | 1930-1936 Lectured in English, Durham University 1933 Climbed Mount Everest 1937-1940 Director of the Community Service Council for Durham 1940-1942 Deputy Education Officer, Hertfordshire County Council 1942-1949 County Education Officer, Dorset County Council 1949-1970 County Education Officer/Director of Education, Derbyshire County Council 1970 Knighted |
Family Tree | Son of an Anglican clergyman |
Source | 'Sir Jack Longland' obituary by Michael Westmacott, 4 December 1993 (possibly in The Times, or The Guardian) |
Authorised Form of Name | Longland; John Laurence 'Jack' (1905-1993); Sir; Educator, mountain climber, and broadcaster |
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