John Blashford-Snell is a British explorer, soldier, and philanthropist who has had a long and distinguished career. He is best known for his expeditions to some of the most remote and dangerous places on Earth, including the Amazon, the Sahara, and the Himalayas. He has also been involved in numerous charitable projects, including the founding of the Scientific Exploration Society (SES) and the International Year of the Child (IYC).
John Blashford-Snell was born in London in 1936. He attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and was commissioned into the Royal Engineers in 1956. He served in the British Army for 22 years, rising to the rank of Colonel. During his military career, he was involved in a number of operations, including the Suez Crisis and the Falklands War. He also served as a United Nations peacekeeper in Cyprus.
In 1978, Blashford-Snell left the military and began to focus on his passion for exploration. He led the first successful descent of the Blue Nile in Ethiopia, and in 1979 he led the first successful descent of the Congo River. He also led the first successful descent of the Amazon River in 1981. These expeditions were extremely dangerous and required a great deal of courage and determination.
In 1982, Blashford-Snell founded the Scientific Exploration Society (SES). The SES is a charitable organization that promotes scientific exploration and research. The organization has been involved in numerous expeditions, including the exploration of the Amazon rainforest, the Sahara desert, and the Himalayas.
In 1989, Blashford-Snell was appointed as the Director of the International Year of the Child (IYC). The IYC was a global initiative to promote the rights of children and to raise awareness of the issues facing them. The IYC was a success and helped to improve the lives of millions of children around the world.
Throughout his career, Blashford-Snell has been awarded numerous honors and awards. In 1982, he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). In 1989, he was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE). He has also been awarded the Polar Medal, the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, and the Order of the Golden Ark.
John Blashford-Snell has had a long and distinguished career as an explorer, soldier, and philanthropist. He has been involved in numerous expeditions to some of the most remote and dangerous places on Earth, and he has also been involved in numerous charitable projects. He is an inspiration to many and his legacy will live on for many years to come.