Climbs On Alpine Peaks de Ratti Abate Achille - 1923

T. Fisher Unwin Ltd, 1923. 1923 First Edition. hardcover. 136pp, original blue cloth, private bookplate, light wear to extremities, light foxing to endpapers and foreedges, VG-. Foreword by Douglas Freshfield.. Achille Ratti was born in Desio, Milan in 1857, the son of an owner of a silk factory. He was ordained a priest in 1879 and embarked on an academic career within the Church. In 1888 he left seminary teaching to work full-time at the Ambrosian Library in Milan, becoming Chief of the Library 1907. The scholar was also an avid mountaineer in his spare time, reaching the summits of Monte Rosa, the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc and Presolana. The combination of a scholar-athlete would not be seen again until the pontificate of John Paul II. In 1911, at Pope Pius X's invitation, he moved to the Vatican to become Vice-Prefect of the Vatican Library, and in 1914 was promoted to Prefect. Ratti was finally elected Pope on 6 February 1922 on the fourteenth ballot, the longest conclave of the 20th century, taking the name of Pius XI.. Glacier Books are experienced and professional booksellers. We take pride in offering carefully described books and excellent customer service.