Photography

Elizabeth Hawkins-Whitshed

Elizabeth Alice Frances ‘Lizzie’ Hawkins-Whitshed (married name Le Blond, formerly Burnaby and Main; 26 June 1860 – 27 July 1934) was an Irish mountaineering pioneer, author, and photographer celebrated for documenting alpine landscapes. At a time when female participation in mountaineering was rare, she achieved prominence for her ascents and distinctive attire, often photographed climbing in long skirts. Relocating to Switzerland, Hawkins-Whitshed began climbing during the 1882–1883 season, later gaining recognition for her pioneering ascents and photographic work. In 1907, she played a leading role in founding the Ladies' Alpine Club, serving as its inaugural president. Over her career, she authored seven books on mountaineering and achieved 20 first ascents—summiting peaks previously unclimbed. In her lifetime, Lizzie conquered over 100 mountains in total. Her legacy endures as a trailblazer who defied gender norms in alpine exploration while making a significant contribution to the documentation of mountain geography through writing and photography.

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See also

• ▸Donnie Wahlberg
• ▸Acalypha ostryifolia
• ▸Douglas Gayeton

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