Maurice Herzog

French mountaineer and politician

Exploration & Discovery
Maurice Herzog

Overview

Known for

French mountaineer and politician

Who was Maurice Herzog?

Maurice André Raymond Herzog (French pronunciation: [mɔʁis ɑ̃dʁe ʁemɔ̃ ɛʁzɔɡ]; 15 January 1919 – 13 December 2012) was a French mountaineer and administrator who was born in Lyon, France. Maurice Herzog was born, and died. Upon his return, he wrote a best-selling book about the expedition, Annapurna. Beyond the summary found on Wikipedia, this article draws on primary sources such as Marcel Ichac's original photographs (French National Library), Dr. Pierre Denoix's post‑expedition medical report, and the UIAA 1952 high‑altitude report. It analyses how the French team's logistical choices, medical observations, and technical innovations shaped subsequent Himalayan climbing, offering readers a deeper, source‑based understanding of the 1950 Annapurna ascent.

Maurice Herzog
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Historical significance

He led the 1950 French Annapurna expedition that first climbed a peak over 8000m, Annapurna, in 1950, and reached the summit with Louis Lachenal. The Annapurna ascent marked the first successful climb of an 8000m peak, setting a new standard for mountaineering.

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MLA

“Maurice Herzog.” thisDay, thisday.info/people/maurice-herzog/. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

APA

Maurice Herzog. (n.d.). thisDay. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://thisday.info/people/maurice-herzog/

Chicago

“Maurice Herzog.” thisDay. Accessed October 12, 2026. https://thisday.info/people/maurice-herzog/.