Peter Fleming, whose younger brother Ian created James Bond, was an adventurer and travel writer.
Born in 1907, educated at Eton and Oxford, literary editor of The Spectator and Special Correspondent for The Times Peter Fleming traveled widely.
In 1932, Fleming replied to an advertisement in The Times: “Exploring and sporting expedition, under experienced guidance, leaving England June to explore rivers central Brazil, if possible ascertain fate Colonel Fawcett; abundant game, big and small; exceptional fishing; ROOM TWO MORE GUNS; highest references expected and given.”
The expedition travelled to Sao Paolo, to the rivers Aragauaia and Tapirapé, heading towards the likely last-known position of the Fawcett expedition. They continued up the Tapirapé to Sao Domingo to look for Fawcett, making slow progress. They admitted defeat after several days. His book of the trip, Brazilian Adventure, was a bestseller, launching his writing career.
His travel books include:
Brazilian Adventure (1933), exploring the Brazilian jungle in search of the lost Colonel Fawcett.
One's Company: A Journey to China in 1933 (1934) on his travels through Manchuria.
News from Tartary: A Journey from Peking to Kashmir (1936). Account of a 7 month journey made with Ella Maillart.
During World War II, he served in Norway, Greece, Burma, and South-East Asia. He received an OBE in 1945.
Peter Fleming died in 1979 with The Fleming Award offered in his honour. The Award is given annually for a research project that seeks to advance geographical science.