Bill Birkett

Thomas William Birkett (born 1952) better known as Bill Birkett is an English civil engineer, climbing writer, photographer, rock climber, and mountaineer, from the Lake District, Cumbria, who has undertaken many expeditions around the world. The 541 peaks of the lake district listed in one of his books are known as Birketts in his honor. Early life and education Bill Birket was born on 13 May 1952 the son of pioneering Lake District climber Robert James 'Jim' Birkett. He grew up in Langdale and started climbing as a child, lead his first extreme graded climbs at the age of 16. Birkett studied civil engineering at Teesside Polytechnic, graduating in 1976. He then went on to work for Cumbria County Highways. He joined the Institution of Civil Engineers in 1981 and gained chartered status.