W. A. B. Coolidge…

Grindelwald cemetery The text reads: SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF WHILLIAM AUGUSTUS BREVOORT COOLIDGE FELLOW OF MAGDALEN COLLEGE OXFORD WHO DIED ON 8TH MAY 1926 AGED 75 AT HIS OWN REQUEST HE WAS BURIED AMONG THE MOUNTAINS HE LOVED SO WELL W. A. B. Coolidge was born in New York 1850. He came to Europe at the age of fifteen together with his aunt Miss Meta Brevoort. He never returned to America. Coolidge made together with the famous Grindelwald guide Christian Almer many ascents in the Alps. They were often accompanied by the dog Tschingel which was given by Almer to Coolidge. Coolidge was a mountain historian writing innumerable books and articles on mountain matters. He died in Grindelwald 1926. Some say he was a mean character who loved the Alps. (There are many of us.) More reading: Clark, Ronald W.: An Eccentric in the Alps, Museum Press, London, 1959.