Robert de Joly
Encyclopedia
Robert-Jacques de Joly was a famous French caver and speleologist. Considered by some as the successor to Édouard-Alfred Martel
(the "father of modern speleology
"), de Joly was a leading figure of French speleology between the world war
s (along with Norbert Casteret
) and into the 1960s.
De Joly was an active cave explorer throughout his entire life, from age fourteen until shortly before his death at the age of eighty. He was known for his physical strength and strong personality, and was responsible for inspiring and training many successful and influential cavers. De Joly is credited with the invention of the lightweight, portable steel-cable ('electron') ladder, a tool that expanded the possibilities of cave explorations and became standard caving equipment for the next fifty years. Amongst his numerous explorations was the , one of the most beautiful caves in France, later developed into a show cave
.
In 1930 de Joly founded the and revived the publication Spelunca, and in 1936 he helped found the (SSF), of which he became president. De Joly traveled throughout Europe and North America representing France at speleological conferences. His reputation was such that he was tasked with many commissions from various government departments.
De Joly authored numerous articles and three books, including which was later translated into English as Memoirs of a Speleologist and continues to inspire generations of cavers today.
Édouard-Alfred Martel
, the 'father of modern speleology', was a world pioneer of cave exploration, study, and documentation...
(the "father of modern speleology
Speleology
Speleology is the scientific study of caves and other karst features, their make-up, structure, physical properties, history, life forms, and the processes by which they form and change over time...
"), de Joly was a leading figure of French speleology between the world war
World war
A world war is a war affecting the majority of the world's most powerful and populous nations. World wars span multiple countries on multiple continents, with battles fought in multiple theaters....
s (along with Norbert Casteret
Norbert Casteret
Norbert Casteret was a famous French caver and adventurer, and is one of the most recognisable names in caving worldwide. Following Édouard-Alfred Martel , Casteret, along with Robert de Joly, became a leading figure of French speleology between the world wars and into the middle of the 20th...
) and into the 1960s.
De Joly was an active cave explorer throughout his entire life, from age fourteen until shortly before his death at the age of eighty. He was known for his physical strength and strong personality, and was responsible for inspiring and training many successful and influential cavers. De Joly is credited with the invention of the lightweight, portable steel-cable ('electron') ladder, a tool that expanded the possibilities of cave explorations and became standard caving equipment for the next fifty years. Amongst his numerous explorations was the , one of the most beautiful caves in France, later developed into a show cave
Show cave
Show caves — also called tourist caves, public caves, and in the United States, commercial caves — are caves that are managed by a government or commercial organization and made accessible to the general public, usually for an entrance fee...
.
In 1930 de Joly founded the and revived the publication Spelunca, and in 1936 he helped found the (SSF), of which he became president. De Joly traveled throughout Europe and North America representing France at speleological conferences. His reputation was such that he was tasked with many commissions from various government departments.
De Joly authored numerous articles and three books, including which was later translated into English as Memoirs of a Speleologist and continues to inspire generations of cavers today.
Honours
- Grand Bronze Medal of the Touring Club de France (1928)
- Red Medal of the (1929)
- Grand Silver Medal of the (1931)
- Hydrogeology Prize of the (1931)
- Ministry of Education award (1936)
- Member of the (1939)
- Member of the (1940)
- Vice-president of the (1950)
- Knight of the , for military service (1950)
- Medal for Research and Invention (1958)
- Gold Medal from the (1953)
- Gold Medal for Tourism (1960)
- Officer of the , for service to speleology (1967)