Robert de Joly

Robert-Jacques de Joly (, Paris – , Montpellier) was a famous French caver and speleologist. Considered by some as the successor to Édouard-Alfred Martel (the "father of modern speleology"), de Joly was a leading figure of French speleology between the world wars (along with Norbert Casteret) and into the 1960s.

De Joly was an active cave explorer throughout his entire life, from age fourteen until shortly before his death at the age of eighty. He was known for his physical strength and strong personality, and was responsible for inspiring and training many successful and influential cavers. De Joly is credited with the invention of the lightweight, portable steel-cable ('electron') ladder, a tool that expanded the possibilities of cave explorations and became standard caving equipment for the next fifty years. Amongst his numerous explorations was the , one of the most beautiful caves in France, later developed into a show cave.

In 1930 de Joly founded the and revived the publication Spelunca, and in 1936 he helped found the (SSF), of which he became president. De Joly traveled throughout Europe and North America representing France at speleological conferences. His reputation was such that he was tasked with many commissions from various government departments.

De Joly authored numerous articles and three books, including which was later translated into English as Memoirs of a Speleologist and continues to inspire generations of cavers today.

Honours Grand Bronze Medal of the Touring Club de France (1928) Red Medal of the (1929) Grand Silver Medal of the (1931) Hydrogeology Prize of the (1931) Ministry of Education award (1936) Member of the (1939) Member of the (1940) Vice-president of the (1950) Knight of the , for military service (1950) Medal for Research and Invention (1958) Gold Medal from the (1953) Gold Medal for Tourism (1960) Officer of the , for service to speleology (1967)