George Everest
Colonel Sir George Everest ( /ˈiːvrɨst/; 4 July 1790 – 1 December 1866) was a Welsh surveyor, geographer and Surveyor-General of India from 1830 to 1843.
Sir George was largely responsible for completing the section of the Great Trigonometric Survey of India along the meridian arc from the south of India extending north to Nepal, a distance of approximately 2,400 kilometres (1,491 mi). The survey was started by William Lambton in 1806 and lasted several decades.
In 1865, Mount Everest was named in his honour despite his objections. It was surveyed by his successor, Andrew Waugh.
Read more about George Everest: Biography, Mussoorie House, Pronunciation of "Everest", Further Reading