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Mount McKinley has been officially named Denali since 2015.
 
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{{Short description|American mountain climber and Episcopal priest}}
{{Infobox mountaineer
{{Infobox mountaineer
| name = Robert Tatum
| name = Robert Tatum
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==Early life==
==Early life==
Tatum was born on August 20, 1891 in [[Knoxville, Tennessee]], the son of George, a photographer, and Emma Tatum. He grew up in Knoxville, and went to [[Sewanee: The University of the South]].<ref name="shearer">{{cite web|last=Shearer|first=John|title=Knoxvillian Robert Tatum was among first to climb Mt. McKinley|url=http://archive.knoxnews.com/news/local/knoxvillian-robert-tatum-was-among-first-to-climb-mt-mckinley-ep-358146190-355763181.html/|work=[[Knoxville News Sentinel]]|accessdate=July 12, 2013|date=June 11, 2013}}</ref> In June 1911 he moved to [[Nenana, Alaska]] to visit his brother Howard, who was working at an Army outpost. That summer, Robert worked as a surveyor for the government; after that he taught at an Episcopalian mission school.<ref name="utk">{{cite web|title=Robert G. Tatum Photo Album, 1913–1917|url=http://dlc.lib.utk.edu/spc/view?docId=tei/0012_003086_000207_0000/0012_003086_000207_0000.xml&chunk.id=BioNote|publisher=[[University of Tennessee]]|accessdate=10 July 2013}}</ref><ref name="moutoux">{{cite news|last=Moutoux|first=John T.|title=Ascending the steep roof of the continent Just to 'look out the windows of heaven'|url=http://denali2013.org/meet-the-team/1913-team/robert-tatum/|accessdate=10 July 2013|newspaper=The Knoxville News-Sentinel|publisher=Denali 2013|date=May 22, 1932|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925123137/http://denali2013.org/meet-the-team/1913-team/robert-tatum/|archive-date=September 25, 2013}}</ref>
Tatum was born on August 20, 1891, in [[Knoxville, Tennessee]], the son of George, a photographer, and Emma Tatum. He grew up in Knoxville, and went to [[Sewanee: The University of the South]].<ref name="shearer">{{cite web|last=Shearer|first=John|title=Knoxvillian Robert Tatum was among first to climb Mt. McKinley|url=http://archive.knoxnews.com/news/local/knoxvillian-robert-tatum-was-among-first-to-climb-mt-mckinley-ep-358146190-355763181.html/|work=[[Knoxville News Sentinel]]|accessdate=July 12, 2013|date=June 11, 2013}}</ref> In June 1911 he moved to [[Nenana, Alaska]], to visit his brother Howard, who was working at an Army outpost. That summer, Robert worked as a surveyor for the government; after that he taught at an Episcopalian mission school.<ref name="utk">{{cite web|title=Robert G. Tatum Photo Album, 1913–1917|url=http://dlc.lib.utk.edu/spc/view?docId=tei/0012_003086_000207_0000/0012_003086_000207_0000.xml&chunk.id=BioNote|publisher=[[University of Tennessee]]|accessdate=10 July 2013}}</ref><ref name="moutoux">{{cite news|last=Moutoux|first=John T.|title=Ascending the steep roof of the continent Just to 'look out the windows of heaven'|url=http://denali2013.org/meet-the-team/1913-team/robert-tatum/|accessdate=10 July 2013|newspaper=The Knoxville News-Sentinel|publisher=Denali 2013|date=May 22, 1932|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925123137/http://denali2013.org/meet-the-team/1913-team/robert-tatum/|archive-date=September 25, 2013}}</ref>


==Denali expedition==
==Denali expedition==
[[File:Denali Mt McKinley.jpg|thumb|right|[[Denali]] from the north]]
[[File:Denali Mt McKinley.jpg|thumb|right|[[Denali]] from the north]]
Episcopalian archdeacon<ref name="nytimes">{{cite news|title=Dr. Stuck scales Mount M'Kinley|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1913/06/21/100630411.pdf|format=PDF|accessdate=10 July 2013|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=June 21, 1913}}</ref> [[Hudson Stuck]], who would later become the expedition leader, first met Tatum during a regular visit to the mission school. Stuck asked Tatum if he would join him in ascending Denali (Mount McKinley) for the first time; he immediately accepted. In preparation for the climb, Tatum hiked about {{convert|1200|mi|km}}, including a trip to [[Tanana Crossing]] with other missionaries to establish a new mission.<ref name="moutoux" />
Episcopalian archdeacon<ref name="nytimes">{{cite news|title=Dr. Stuck scales Mount M'Kinley|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1913/06/21/100630411.pdf|accessdate=10 July 2013|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=June 21, 1913}}</ref> [[Hudson Stuck]], who would later become the expedition leader, first met Tatum during a regular visit to the mission school. Stuck asked Tatum if he would join him in ascending Denali (Mount McKinley) for the first time; he immediately accepted. In preparation for the climb, Tatum hiked about {{convert|1200|mi|km}}, including a trip to [[Tanana Crossing]] with other missionaries to establish a new mission.<ref name="moutoux" />


On March 17, 1913, the expedition left Nenana to climb McKinley. Besides Stuck and Tatum (who was the cook),<ref name="beckey">{{cite book|last=Beckey|first=Fred|authorlink=Fred Beckey|title=Mount McKinley: Icy Crown of North America|year=1993|publisher=[[The Mountaineers Books]]|isbn=0-89886-362-7|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nXGOq8MhZYcC&pg=PA118|pages=118–119}}</ref> the party consisted of [[Harry Peter Karstens]], who led the expedition with Stuck; [[Walter Harper]], an [[Alaska Native]] who had been Stuck's travelling companion for three years; and two [[Gwich'in]] teenagers, [[Johnny Fredson]] and Esaias George,<ref name="moutoux" /> who helped at [[base camp]] and brought the dog teams back down before the summit.<ref name="beckey" />
On March 17, 1913, the expedition left Nenana to climb McKinley. Besides Stuck and Tatum (who was the cook),<ref name="beckey">{{cite book|last=Beckey|first=Fred|authorlink=Fred Beckey|title=Mount McKinley: Icy Crown of North America|year=1993|publisher=[[The Mountaineers Books]]|isbn=0-89886-362-7|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nXGOq8MhZYcC&pg=PA118|pages=118–119}}</ref> the party consisted of [[Harry Peter Karstens]], who led the expedition with Stuck; [[Walter Harper]], an [[Alaska Native]] who had been Stuck's travelling companion for three years; and two [[Gwich'in]] teenagers, [[Johnny Fredson]] and Esaias George,<ref name="moutoux" /> who helped at [[base camp]] and brought the dog teams back down before the summit.<ref name="beckey" />
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On June 6, they arrived at their final camp after three months of sometimes very dangerous climbing.<ref name="moutoux" />
On June 6, they arrived at their final camp after three months of sometimes very dangerous climbing.<ref name="moutoux" />


Early the next morning, the party set off to reach the summit. Around noon, they finally reached the top of Mount McKinley, at an elevation of {{convert|20310|ft|m}}.<ref>{{cite press release | last=Newell | first=Mark | url=https://www.usgs.gov/news/new-elevation-nation%E2%80%99s-highest-peak | publisher=[[USGS]] | title= New Elevation for Nation’s Highest Peak | date=September 2, 2015 |accessdate=August 23, 2017}}</ref> During the hour and a half they spent on the summit, Tatum planted a flag he had made earlier out of handkerchiefs and other miscellaneous items. He compared the view to "looking out of a window of heaven." They began the descent, which only took two days to get back to base camp. They returned to Tanana on June 20, just over three months since they left.<ref name="moutoux" />
Early the next morning, the party set off to reach the summit. Around noon, they finally reached the top of Mount McKinley, at an elevation of {{convert|20310|ft|m}}.<ref>{{cite press release | last=Newell | first=Mark | url=https://www.usgs.gov/news/new-elevation-nation%E2%80%99s-highest-peak | publisher=[[USGS]] | title= New Elevation for Nation's Highest Peak | date=September 2, 2015 |accessdate=August 23, 2017}}</ref> During the hour and a half they spent on the summit, Tatum planted a flag he had made earlier out of handkerchiefs and other miscellaneous items. He compared the view to "looking out of a window of heaven." They began the descent, which only took two days to get back to base camp. They returned to Tanana on June 20, just over three months since they left.<ref name="moutoux" />


==Later life==
==Later life==
During [[World War I]], Tatum served as a Corporal in the US Army.<ref>https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/199708846/robert-george-tatum Find a Grave</ref>
During [[World War I]], Tatum served as a Corporal in the US Army.<ref>https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/199708846/robert-george-tatum Find a Grave {{User-generated source|certain=yes|date=March 2022}}</ref>


On June 7, 1922, Tatum was ordained an [[Episcopal priest]] in Nenana, but he soon returned to his hometown of Knoxville, where he ministered until his death on January 27, 1964.<ref name="utk" />
On June 7, 1922, Tatum was ordained an [[Episcopal priest]] in Nenana, but he soon returned to his hometown of Knoxville, where he ministered until his death on January 27, 1964.<ref name="utk" />


==Legacy==
==Legacy==
[[Mount Tatum]] was named by [[Bradford Washburn]] in about 1945 for Tatum. The {{convert|11053|ft|m|adj=mid|-high}} mountain is located in the [[Mount Carpe (Alaska)|Carpe]] Ridge between [[Muldrow Glacier|Muldrow]] and [[Traleika Glacier]]s, about {{convert|10|mi|km}} away from Denali.<ref>{{USGS|article=Feature Detail Report for: Mount Tatum|url=https://geonames.usgs.gov/apex/f?p=gnispq:3:0::NO::P3_FID:1410678|accessdate=11 July 2013}}</ref>
[[Mount Tatum]] was named by [[Bradford Washburn]] in about 1945 for Tatum. The {{convert|11053|ft|m|adj=mid|-high}} mountain is located in the [[Mount Carpe (Alaska)|Carpe]] Ridge between [[Muldrow Glacier|Muldrow]] and [[Traleika Glacier]]s, about {{convert|10|mi|km}} away from Denali.<ref>{{USGS|title=Feature Detail Report for: Mount Tatum|url=https://geonames.usgs.gov/apex/f?p=gnispq:3:0::NO::P3_FID:1410678|accessdate=11 July 2013}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.peakbagger.com/climber/climber.aspx?cid=362 Robert Tatum] at Peakbagger.com
*[http://www.peakbagger.com/climber/climber.aspx?cid=362 Robert Tatum] at Peakbagger.com
*[http://dlc.lib.utk.edu/spc/search?subject=Tatum,%20Robert%20G;sort=year;f1-subject=Tatum,%20Robert%20G. Robert Tatum's diaries]
*[https://digital.lib.utk.edu/collections/islandora/object/collections%3Atatum Robert G. Tatum Collection]


{{authority control}}
{{authority control}}
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[[Category:Denali]]
[[Category:Denali]]
[[Category:People from Knoxville, Tennessee]]
[[Category:People from Knoxville, Tennessee]]
[[Category:People of the Alaska Territory]]
[[Category:People from the Territory of Alaska]]
[[Category:Sewanee: The University of the South alumni]]
[[Category:Sewanee: The University of the South alumni]]

Latest revision as of 20:50, 15 January 2024

Robert Tatum
Personal information
Main disciplineMountain climber
Other disciplinesEpiscopal priest
Born(1891-08-20)August 20, 1891
Knoxville, Tennessee
DiedJanuary 27, 1964(1964-01-27) (aged 72)
NationalityAmerican
Career
Starting age21
Starting disciplineSurveyor
Notable ascentsDenali (Mount McKinley) (June 7, 1913)

Robert George Tatum (August 20, 1891 – January 27, 1964) was an American mountain climber and Episcopal priest. He, along with Hudson Stuck, Harry Karstens, and Walter Harper made up the expedition that was the first to successfully climb Denali, the tallest mountain in North America, on June 7, 1913.

Early life

[edit]

Tatum was born on August 20, 1891, in Knoxville, Tennessee, the son of George, a photographer, and Emma Tatum. He grew up in Knoxville, and went to Sewanee: The University of the South.[1] In June 1911 he moved to Nenana, Alaska, to visit his brother Howard, who was working at an Army outpost. That summer, Robert worked as a surveyor for the government; after that he taught at an Episcopalian mission school.[2][3]

Denali expedition

[edit]
Denali from the north

Episcopalian archdeacon[4] Hudson Stuck, who would later become the expedition leader, first met Tatum during a regular visit to the mission school. Stuck asked Tatum if he would join him in ascending Denali (Mount McKinley) for the first time; he immediately accepted. In preparation for the climb, Tatum hiked about 1,200 miles (1,900 km), including a trip to Tanana Crossing with other missionaries to establish a new mission.[3]

On March 17, 1913, the expedition left Nenana to climb McKinley. Besides Stuck and Tatum (who was the cook),[5] the party consisted of Harry Peter Karstens, who led the expedition with Stuck; Walter Harper, an Alaska Native who had been Stuck's travelling companion for three years; and two Gwich'in teenagers, Johnny Fredson and Esaias George,[3] who helped at base camp and brought the dog teams back down before the summit.[5]

On June 6, they arrived at their final camp after three months of sometimes very dangerous climbing.[3]

Early the next morning, the party set off to reach the summit. Around noon, they finally reached the top of Mount McKinley, at an elevation of 20,310 feet (6,190 m).[6] During the hour and a half they spent on the summit, Tatum planted a flag he had made earlier out of handkerchiefs and other miscellaneous items. He compared the view to "looking out of a window of heaven." They began the descent, which only took two days to get back to base camp. They returned to Tanana on June 20, just over three months since they left.[3]

Later life

[edit]

During World War I, Tatum served as a Corporal in the US Army.[7]

On June 7, 1922, Tatum was ordained an Episcopal priest in Nenana, but he soon returned to his hometown of Knoxville, where he ministered until his death on January 27, 1964.[2]

Legacy

[edit]

Mount Tatum was named by Bradford Washburn in about 1945 for Tatum. The 11,053-foot-high (3,369 m) mountain is located in the Carpe Ridge between Muldrow and Traleika Glaciers, about 10 miles (16 km) away from Denali.[8]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Shearer, John (June 11, 2013). "Knoxvillian Robert Tatum was among first to climb Mt. McKinley". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  2. ^ a b "Robert G. Tatum Photo Album, 1913–1917". University of Tennessee. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
  3. ^ a b c d e Moutoux, John T. (May 22, 1932). "Ascending the steep roof of the continent Just to 'look out the windows of heaven'". The Knoxville News-Sentinel. Denali 2013. Archived from the original on September 25, 2013. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
  4. ^ "Dr. Stuck scales Mount M'Kinley" (PDF). The New York Times. June 21, 1913. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
  5. ^ a b Beckey, Fred (1993). Mount McKinley: Icy Crown of North America. The Mountaineers Books. pp. 118–119. ISBN 0-89886-362-7.
  6. ^ Newell, Mark (September 2, 2015). "New Elevation for Nation's Highest Peak" (Press release). USGS. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  7. ^ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/199708846/robert-george-tatum Find a Grave [user-generated source]
  8. ^ Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from Feature Detail Report for: Mount Tatum. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
[edit]
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