William Lowell Putnam III
Encyclopedia
William Lowell Putnam III (born 1924) is an alpinist, author and retired broadcasting executive. He is also sole trustee of the Lowell Observatory
, a private astronomical research facility; the son of Roger Putnam
and a member of the once-prominent Lowell family
of Massachusetts.
Over several decades beginning in the 1940s, Putnam made many first ascents and difficult exploratory expeditions centered in the Selkirk Mountains of British Columbia.
After serving as the American Alpine Club guidebook editor for western Canada beginning in 1957 and subsequently in other capacities, Putnam was the club's president from 1971-73. Related to these activities, Putnam was U.S delegate to the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation (or UIAA) for 30 years, and for much of this period also represented Canada.
The construction of three mountain cabins in western Canada now operated for the public by the Alpine Club of Canada was spearheaded and completed by Putnam. One of these accommodations, in the northern Columbia, or Selkirk Mountains, was renamed the Bill Putnam Hut
in 2002 by the Alpine Club of Canada to recognize his contribution to Canadian mountaineering.
Putnam studied geology at Harvard University and later was founder and chief executive of the Springfield Television
Corp. (Massachusetts), a company which he sold in 1984. During World War II, he was wounded in combat.
Among his books are A century of American Alpinism, as well as K2: The 1939 Tragedy, and a biography of Swiss-Canadian mountain guide Ed Feuz (the last two together with Andrew J. Kaufman) as well as A Yankee Image: The Life and Times of Roger Lowell Putnam.
Lowell Observatory
Lowell Observatory is an astronomical observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. Lowell Observatory was established in 1894, placing it among the oldest observatories in the United States, and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1965....
, a private astronomical research facility; the son of Roger Putnam
Roger Putnam
Roger Lowell Putnam was an American politician and businessman. A member of the prominent Lowell family of Boston, he served as Mayor of Springfield, Massachusetts, from 1937 until 1943, and as director of the Economic Stabilization Administration from 1951 until 1952...
and a member of the once-prominent Lowell family
Lowell family
The Lowell family settled on the North Shore at Cape Ann after they arrived in Boston on June 23, 1639. The patriarch, Percival Lowle , described as a "solid citizen of Bristol", determined at the age of 68 that the future was in the New World.Massachusetts Bay Colony Governor John Winthrop needed...
of Massachusetts.
Over several decades beginning in the 1940s, Putnam made many first ascents and difficult exploratory expeditions centered in the Selkirk Mountains of British Columbia.
After serving as the American Alpine Club guidebook editor for western Canada beginning in 1957 and subsequently in other capacities, Putnam was the club's president from 1971-73. Related to these activities, Putnam was U.S delegate to the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation (or UIAA) for 30 years, and for much of this period also represented Canada.
The construction of three mountain cabins in western Canada now operated for the public by the Alpine Club of Canada was spearheaded and completed by Putnam. One of these accommodations, in the northern Columbia, or Selkirk Mountains, was renamed the Bill Putnam Hut
Bill Putnam hut
The Bill Putnam hut is an alpine hut located in the Adamant range of the Selkirk mountains in British Columbia. It is set on a knoll at the edge of a high mountain meadow and provides access to a great array of mountaineering objectives, but is best known for its spectacular skiing terrain...
in 2002 by the Alpine Club of Canada to recognize his contribution to Canadian mountaineering.
Putnam studied geology at Harvard University and later was founder and chief executive of the Springfield Television
Springfield Television
Springfield Television Corporation was a group owner of television stations based in Springfield, Massachusetts. The company was founded by William Lowell Putnam, III, who launched the company's first television station, WWLP, on March 17, 1953. Springfield Television Corporation was a group owner...
Corp. (Massachusetts), a company which he sold in 1984. During World War II, he was wounded in combat.
Among his books are A century of American Alpinism, as well as K2: The 1939 Tragedy, and a biography of Swiss-Canadian mountain guide Ed Feuz (the last two together with Andrew J. Kaufman) as well as A Yankee Image: The Life and Times of Roger Lowell Putnam.