Master Surname Index



Myron H. Avery

Ancestry of
Myron H. Avery

Co-Founder, Appalachian Trail

    Myron Haliburton Avery

    View famous kin of Myron Haliburton Avery

    • 1st Generation
    • Ahnentafel No:
    • 1 
    • Birth Date:
    • 3 Nov 1899 
    • Birth Location:
    • Lubec, Washington, Maine 
    • Christening Date:
    •  
    • Christening Location:
    •  
    • Death Date:
    • 26 Jul 1952 
    • Death Location:
    • Annapolis Royal, Annapolis, Nova Scotia, Canada 
    • Burial Date:
    •  
    • Burial Location:
    • Lamson Cemetery, Lubec, Washington, Maine 
    • Notes: 

    • Co-Founder of the Appalachian Trail

      Founding President of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) and later head of the Appalachian Trail Conference (later called the Appalachian Trail Conservancy or ATC).

      World War I & II veteran

      Myron H. Avery was a prominent figure in the creation and development of the Appalachian Trail, one of the longest continuous footpaths in the world. Born on November 2, 1899, in Lubec, Maine, Avery's passion for hiking and the outdoors became evident early in his life. He pursued a career in law, graduating from Harvard Law School, but his true legacy lies in his contributions to the Appalachian Trail.

      Avery first encountered the idea of the Appalachian Trail through Benton MacKaye, a visionary who proposed the concept in a 1921 article. MacKaye's dream was to create a trail that would stretch along the Appalachian Mountains from Georgia to Maine, providing a haven for urban dwellers to reconnect with nature. Avery was captivated by this idea and began corresponding with MacKaye, eventually becoming deeply involved in the project.

      Avery's legal background and meticulous nature made him an ideal organizer and leader for the endeavor. He joined the Appalachian Trail Conference (later called the Appalachian Trail Conservancy or ATC), founded in 1925, and quickly rose to prominence within the organization. As the chairman of the ATC from 1931 to 1952, Avery dedicated himself to the task of mapping, clearing, and marking the trail. His tireless work, often involving extensive field surveys and negotiations with landowners, was instrumental in the trail's completion.

      One of Avery's major achievements was the publication of the first comprehensive guidebook for the Appalachian Trail in 1934. His detailed maps and descriptions provided essential information for hikers and ensured the trail's usability. Avery also played a crucial role in securing the trail's route through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Shenandoah National Park, two key sections of the trail. In 1936, he became the first recognized "2000 miler" to complete the entire Appalachan Trail, although he did it through section hikes and not a single thru-hike.

      Avery's legacy endures in the countless hikers who traverse the Appalachian Trail each year, benefiting from his vision and dedication. Myron H. Avery passed away on July 26, 1952, but his impact on American outdoor recreation remains profound.

  • Marriages for Myron Haliburton Avery

    • Spouse:
    • Jeanette Katharine Leckie
    • Marriage Date:
    • 18 Feb 1925
    • Marriage Location:
    • Washington, D.C.

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