J. Norman Collie

John Norman Collie, who lived from 10 September 1859 to 1 November 1942 and was commonly known as J. Norman Collie, was an English scientist, mountaineer and explorer, born in Alderley Edge, Cheshire. He was professor of organic chemistry at University College London from 1896 to 1913 and headed its chemistry department until 1928. As a mountaineer he is remembered for pioneering climbs on the Cuillin of the Isle of Skye with the guide John Mackenzie, for the first ascent of Tower Ridge on Ben Nevis in 1894, and for the 1895 attempt on Nanga Parbat, the first on a Himalayan 8,000 metre peak. Over several visits to the Canadian Rockies he made twenty-one first ascents. He was president of the Alpine Club from 1920 to 1922.