Eli "Cymmie" Simpson ( – ) was an influential and controversial British
caver
Caving – also known as spelunking in the United States and Canada and potholing in the United Kingdom and Ireland – is the recreational pastime of exploring wild cave systems (as distinguished from show caves). In contrast, speleology is ...
and
speleologist
Speleology is the scientific study of caves and other karst features, as well as their make-up, structure, physical properties, history, life forms, and the processes by which they form (speleogenesis) and change over time (speleomorphology). ...
, and a founding member and Recorder of the
British Speleological Association.
Life and career
Simpson began
caving
Caving – also known as spelunking in the United States and Canada and potholing in the United Kingdom and Ireland – is the recreational pastime of exploring wild cave systems (as distinguished from show caves). In contrast, speleology is ...
in 1901, and in 1905 helped create the
Yorkshire Speleological Association, the first British club formed specifically for the purposes of exploring
caves
A cave or cavern is a natural void in the ground, specifically a space large enough for a human to enter. Caves often form by the weathering of rock and often extend deep underground. The word ''cave'' can refer to smaller openings such as sea ...
. Simpson undertook cave exploration, mapping, and photography throughout his active career.
Simpson was a founding member of the
British Speleological Association in 1935, became its Recorder for much of its existence, and organized the most extensive cave archive in Britain. The installation of gates on BSA-controlled caves caused much friction with other caving organizations as well as within the BSA. BSA influence waned after 1945 when new or dormant caving clubs (such as
Northern Pennine Club and
Red Rose Cave and Pothole Club) gained ground, and members expelled or resigned from the BSA went on to create other organizations, notably the Cave Research Group of Great Britain (the two merged in 1973 to form the
British Cave Research Association).
See also
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Caving in the United Kingdom
Recreational caving in the United Kingdom dates back to the mid-19th century. The four major caving areas of the United Kingdom are North Yorkshire, South Wales, Derbyshire, and the Mendips. Minor areas include Devon, North Wales, and the Scottis ...
References
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Simpson, Eli
1884 births
1962 deaths
British cavers
British speleologists