Cora May (Johnstone) Best (abt. 1878 - 1930)

Born about 31 Dec 1878 in Wasioja, Dodge, Minnesota, United States

Wife of Robert Best — married 31 Jul 1901 in Polk, Minnesota, United States

Died 19 Nov 1930 at about age 51 in Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota, United States

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Biography

Dr. Cora May Johnstone Best was a internationally known lecturer, mountain climber and huntress. Dr. Best was known throughout the United States as a conservationist leading exponent of outdoor life, was a member of the Canadian Alpine Club, the Japanese Alpine Club and the Swiss Alpine Club. During the last 12 years she divided her time between exploring expeditions, which took her from the Artic Circle to the tropics, and writing and lecturing on her experiences. She was one of the first women in Minnesota to promote physical education as a necessary part of public school training. She was educated as a physician, she practiced medicine for a time, but dropped that in the interest of furthering the appreciation of outdoor life in the United States. In 1924 she set a record by climbing Mount Robson, highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, in 4 hours. In 1925 she and a companion Audrey Shippam, risked their lives in a 200 mile canoe trip around the big bend of the Columbia River. Cora was married to Dr_Robert_Best in 1901, but they never had any children. She died at the age of 51.

Sources

• *https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/32045161/cora_may-best
• Obit Dr. Robert Best Freeport Journal Standard, Freeport, Illinois 8 Oct 1949