Responsible for the first recorded climbs on crags including Stanage Edge, Rivelin, Wharncliffe and Black Rocks near Cromford, he also dared to delve with the first-ever descents of many Peak District caves.

Now, almost 70 years since his death, a biography is due to be published.

Stevenage-based historian John Craddock began the book, 'Cragsman - Jim Puttrell: Pioneer Climber and Cave Explorer', after friend Steve Puttrell mentioned his great-great-uncle's illustrious story.

Jim, or Will as he was known to his family, began climbing after his father introduced him to the delights of the Hope Valley and Snowdonia.

Soon he was climbing alone, or with fellow Mappin & Webb employee WJ Watson, on Wharncliffe Crags to the north west of Sheffield.

Puttrell's Progress is one of the climbs there bearing his name, and one which still commands respect from 21st Century climbers.

Mr Craddock said: "Puttrell was the original gritstone climber.

"He saw these outcrops as outdoor gymnasiums on which to test himself. He loved them for what they were, rather than using them as stepping stones to alpine climbing and the greater ranges."

Jim began teaming up with experienced climbers JM Archer Thompson and OG Jones to put up new routes in the Lake District and Snowdonia during the 1890s.

His nickname, 'Greenhorn', was swiftly replaced by 'Lamplighter' when his skill for leading climbs was noticed.

A fall at Wharncliffe in 1899 injured his ankle. Climbing was put on the backburner and Jim turned his attention to caves.

His exploration of an underground world was equally prolific, and he descended Speedwell Cavern and Blue John Cavern at Castleton, and went down Eldon Hole a total of 12 times.

A rivalry with Derby-based Ernest Baker began when Baker would fail to follow Puttrell up his well-practised climbs at Wharncliffe.

Both men were members of the Kyndwr Cub Puttrell. Club meets would be competitive affairs, with each man testing the other's daring to the limit.

The rivalry eventually caused the decline of the Kyndwr Club in 1903 when Baker publicly belittled Puttrell's ascent of High Tor Gully near Matlock.

In 1919 Puttrell was elected a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and, in 1933, he was elected the first president of Sheffield Climbing Club.

"Puttrell was integral to getting clubs in the area up and running," said Mr Craddock.

"These clubs introduce many people to the crags and caves of the Peak District, often resulting in the start of a lifelong passion."

Puttrell lectured frequently about his climbing exploits in his later years. He even made 21 broadcasts on BBC radio between 1926 and 1931, bringing climbing and caving to a wider public for the first time.

n Author John Craddock wants readers of The Star to get in touch if they have stories or photographs which could feature in his book. Call 01438 369 104 .



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