James Outram (mountaineer)

Sir James Outram (13 October, 1864 – 12 March, 1925) was a British clergyman, who made many first ascents in the Canadian Rockies in the early 1900s. Outram was born in London, England, the son of Sir Francis Boyd Outram,Bart. of India fame. He was educated at Haileybury College and Pembroke College, Cambridge, where he gained his degree of Master of Arts. He came to the Canadian Rockies in 1900, and devoted himself to Alpine pursuits for some years, making his headquarters in Calgary. He ascended the hitherto unclimbed Mount Assiniboine in 1901.

His climbing accomplishments include:
* 1900 - ascent of Cascade Mountain (2,998 m/9,836 ft)
* 1901 - first ascent (guided) of Mount Assiniboine
* 1902 - first ascents of Mount Bryce (3507 m), Mount Columbia (3,747 m), Mount Forbes (3,612 m), and Mount Wilson (3,260 m).

Outram wrote a book about his adventures called "In the Heart of the Canadian Rockies", first published in 1905 and several magazine articles, all dealing with mountaineering.

In 1920, Mount Outram in Banff National Park was named in his honour.

In 1921 he was married to a daughter of the late Joseph Balfour. He had no children. He was a member of the Anglican Church, in the congregation of St. Stephens, Calgary.

Sir James Outram was a dedicated [http://www.orangelodge1654.com Orangeman] and a member of the Vermilion, Alberta, Loyal Orange Lodge Number 2078 in 1915. In 1916 he was elected the Worshipful Master of that lodge and in 1917 and 1918 he was elected the Worshipful Master for Victoria County, Alberta. In 1918 he was elected the Right Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Alberta, and again re-elected in 1919 and 1920. He was also a member of the Vermilion lodge of the Ladies Orange Benevolent Association.

Sir Outram also belonged to another Protestant fraternal organization known as the Royal Black Knights of the Camp of Israel where he served as Grand Registrar of the Grand Black Chapter of Alberta for 1921-1925. He was a knight in the Mannville Royal Black Preceptory, Number 948.

Outram died in Victoria, British Columbia on 12 March, 1925 after several months of illness.

External links

* [http://www.peakfinder.com/people.asp?PersonsName=Outram%2C+James Outram, James]
* [http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=7954 Biography at the "Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online"]