Part of the American History & Genealogy Project

Annie Smith Peck 1850 ~ 1935

Annie Smith Peck

In recent years, Miss Peck's achievements as the foremost woman mountain climber of the world has dimmed her creditable efforts as archaeologist, but it was in that work that she started her career. Born in Providence, Rhode Island, her early education was received at its high and normal schools. After graduating from the University of Michigan in 1878, having distinguished herself in every branch of study, whether literary or scientific, Miss Peck engaged in teaching, spending two years as professor of Latin in Purdue University. In 1881 she took her master's degree, mainly for work in Greek.

Going abroad in 1884 she spent several months in study in Hanover, Germany, and then another period in Italy, devoting herself especially to the antiquities and passing the summer in Switzerland, mountain climbing. In 1885-1886 she pursued the regular course of study in the American School of Classical Studies in Athens, Greece, and also traveled extensively in Greece, visiting Sicily, Troy, Constantinople, in search of buried antiquities.

Immediately after her return home she occupied the chair of Latin in Smith College, later going over the country with a lecture course in Greek archaeology and travel. She has since added lectures describing her exploits in reaching the world's highest peaks. When engaged in these expeditions. Miss Peck wears a man's costume, and more often than not the men who accompany her have fallen out and abandoned hope of reaching the goal while she, a woman, has pressed on and planted the flag on the summit She has climbed more of the highest mountains in South America than any living man. Her lectures have always attracted wide notice and received hearty commendation, both from distinguished scholars and from the press. In addition to her more solid acquirements, Miss Peck also possesses numerous and varied accomplishments; she is a profound classical scholar and accomplished musician.

Women of America

Source: The Part Taken by Women in American History, By Mrs. John A. Logan, Published by The Perry-Nalle Publishing Company, Wilmington, Delaware, 1912.