Edmund Hillary, New Zealand (29th May, 1953)

Sir Edmund Hillary was born on 20th July, 1919 in Tuakau, New Zealand. Before climbing Everest, he had scaled mountains in New Zealand and Europe (the Alps). Sir Edmund Hillary was part of a British expedition led by Lord John Hunt. He reached the summit at 11:30 am in the morning. He developed interest in mountaineering when he was studying in secondary school. Ascending Mount Ollivier was hisfirst major achievement; he climbed the mountain in 1939. He was knighted in 1953, shortly after the expedition returned to London. From 1985 to 1988 he served as New Zealand’s high commissioner to India, Nepal and Bangladesh. Over the years numerous other honours were bestowed on him, including the Order of the Garter in 1995.