Alan Nichols facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alan Hammond Nichols
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Alan Nichols learning the art of falconry.
Tan-Tan, Morocco, 2014. |
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| Born | February 14, 1930 Palo Alto, California, U.S.
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| Other names | Alan Hammond |
| Education | Stanford University (BA) Stanford Law School (JD) |
| Known for | Bicycling the Silk Road |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Law, Exploration Sacred mountains |
| Institutions | The Explorers Club |
Alan Hammond Nichols (born February 14, 1930) is an American lawyer, writer, and explorer. He is also an expert on sacred mountains, which are places considered holy by many cultures. He was the 42nd president of The Explorers Club, a group for people who explore the world.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Alan Nichols was born on February 14, 1930. He grew up in the United States.
School Days
He went to Stanford University, a well-known college. In 1951, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He was also chosen for a special academic honor society called Phi Beta Kappa because he was a very good student.
Serving His Country
From 1951 to 1954, Alan Nichols served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was part of the 47th Infantry Division. He finished his service as a lieutenant and received several awards for his bravery.
Becoming a Lawyer
After his time in the army, Nichols returned to Stanford Law School to study law. He earned his law degree in 1955. Even as a new law student, he was chosen to help edit the Stanford Law Review, a publication for legal articles.
Career and Public Service
For over 50 years, Alan Nichols worked as a lawyer in the San Francisco area. He focused on business, banking, and non-profit organizations.
Helping the Community
He was very involved in helping local community groups. He worked with the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD), which manages public schools. He also helped City College of San Francisco and other schools.
A Landmark Case
While he was president of the SFUSD, a very important court case happened in 1974. It was called Lau v. Nichols. The Supreme Court of the United States decided that schools must provide special help for students who don't speak English well. This was a big step for civil rights in education.
Political Involvement
Alan Nichols also helped with political campaigns and fundraising for the Republican party in California. In 1990, he ran for Congress but did not win.
Adventures and Explorations
Alan Nichols has always been interested in different cultures and religions. This interest has led him to travel all over the world and achieve many amazing things.
Firsts in Exploration
- In 1978, when China first allowed tourists into the Tibet Autonomous Region, Alan Nichols was the first Westerner to get permission to visit the sacred Tibetan sites of Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. These are very important holy places.
- He rode a bicycle for the entire 10,300 miles of the famous Silk Road. This ancient trade route stretches from Istanbul to Xi’an. He completed this incredible journey in four parts, starting in 1989 and finishing in 2005.
- In 2010 and 2012, he was the first to lead expeditions into less-traveled parts of Ningxia, Inner Mongolia, and China. He was searching for the tomb of the great Mongol emperor Genghis Khan.
Later Life
Alan Nichols has an honorary doctor of science degree from California College of Podiatric Medicine. He lives in Marin County, California, with his wife, Rebecca "Becky" Rygh-Nichols.
Selected Writings
Alan Nichols has written several books and articles.
Non-fiction Books
- Nichols, Alan H. & Rogers, Harold E. (1965). Water for California: Planning, Law & Practice, Finance.
- Nichols, Alan H., Nichols, Nancy A. editor (1991). Journey: A Bicycle Odyssey through Central Asia.
- Nichols, Alan H., Nichols, Nancy A., editor (1992). Letters Home from the Lafayette Flying Corps.
- Nichols, Alan H. (2002). Travels with Annie.
- Nichols, Alan H., editor (2003). Curriculum Guide for the Arts.
- Hammond, Alan (1978). A Gift from the Master. (Written under a pen name)
- Hammond, Alan (1979). To Climb a Sacred Mountain: One Man's Search for God Atop the Holy Mountains of the World. (Written under a pen name)
Articles and Contributions
- Nichols, Alan (1988, March) "The Xinjiang-Tibet Mountain Bike Expedition." The Explorers Journal.
- Nichols, Alan H. (2003/4, Winter). "Cycling the Silk Road: A Central Asian Adventure." The Explorers Journal.
- Fok, Pat & Terrill, Ross (1974). Faces of China: Tomorrow, Today, Yesterday. (Contribution: Text on sacred mountains)
- Nichols, Nancy Ann (1991). San Quentin: Inside the Walls. (Contribution: Pictures, stories and history)
Fiction Books
- Nichols, Alan (2000). Adventures in Time (Poems from the 20th Century).
- Hammond, Alan (1962). San Francisco Commuter. (Poems, written under a pen name)
- Hammond, Alan (2011). All's Fair in Love and Law: Small Town Tales of Life, Laughter and Litigation. (Novel, written under a pen name)
