Jim Corbett - Biography

Corbett National Park is located in the Nainital District of Uttarakhand and is one of the oldest and most loved wildlife destinations in India. The forest began its journey in 1936, when it was declared Hailey National Park. A few years later, during 1954-55, the name was changed to Ramganga National Park, inspired by the clean and life-giving Ramganga River flowing through the area. In 1955-56, the national park received its final and well-known name - Jim Corbett National Park, honouring the famous British writer, hunter, and later a dedicated wildlife conservationist.

Jim Corbett is widely known for tracking and killing man-eating tigers and leopards that once troubled local villages. However, his story goes beyond hunting. Over time, he became a passionate photographer and a strong voice for wildlife protection, urging people to save India’s animals from extinction.

The Backstory of Edward James Corbett

The fable of Edward Jim Corbett still persists in the minds and hearts of the people of Garhwal and Kumaon. People all over the world know Jim Corbett from his fabulous writings as a famous hunter who later became the adversary of many notorious man-eaters. There are 4 biographies written on him and three films on his life that display the lucid accounts of his exploits that he has given in his books.

Edward James Corbett was born on 5th July 1875 of English ancestry in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand. He grew up spending much of his childhood exploring the wilderness that surrounds him. Jim Corbett lived his life amidst dense jungle and developed a deep knowledge of the way. Sir Jim Corbett spent his major part of his life at Gurney House (located in Nainital) with his large family -
• His mother, Mary Jane Corbett
• His father, William Christopher, who was the postmaster in Nainital, died very early.
He was the 8th child of his parents. The whole responsibility fell to Corbett's mother to raise and educate 13 children on a widow's meager pension. Soon after an early age, Jim Corbett had to face the responsibility of supporting his family of six members so he took up a job with the railways.
Over the years, he became a good hunter as well as a wonderful naturalist. He was blessed with excellent observation, fleet-footed and great stamina. He was so intelligent and active that he could read the signs of the forest and movement of wildlife as put all his senses on alert (sight, hearing and smell) while moving in the forests.

Notable Man-eaters shot by Corbett

From 1907 to 1938, Edward James Corbett killed about 33 man-eaters, shot 19 tigers and 14 leopards. Historical records state these animals had become man-eaters and were responsible for more than 1,200 human deaths.
• 1907 - Champawat Tigress: Linked to the deaths of over 200 people.
• 1910 - Panar Leopard: Believed to have killed nearly 400 humans.
• 1925 - Man-eating Leopard of Rudraprayag: Responsible for around 125 village deaths.
• 1929 - Talla-Des Man-eater: Accounted for more than 150 killings.
• 1930 - Mohan Man-eater: Shot after repeated attacks on locals.
• 1930 - Chowgarh Tigress and her sub-adult cub: The tigress alone caused about 64 human deaths before being killed in April.
• April 1937 - Chuka Tigress: Eliminated after terrorising nearby areas.
30 November 1938 - Thak Man-eater Tigress: Shot in Thak village; this marked Corbett’s final hunt before he devoted himself fully to wildlife conservation.
He was also a pioneer conservationist and played a key role in the establishment of the present Jim Corbett National Park. He led a confirmed bachelor life and remained an active member of many wildlife preservation organisations, and helped in conserving these natural resources.

Popular Books Written by Jim Corbett

1. Jungle Stories, 1935
2. The Man-Eaters of Kumaon, 1944
3. My India, 1952
4. Jungle Lore, 1953
5. The Temple Tiger and More Man-Eaters of Kumaon, 1954
6. Tree Tops, 1955

Corbett Heritage

A Blend of Nature and Culture: Corbett remained not just about nature when, on April 1st, 1973, Project Tiger, the biggest conservative initiative of that time, was launched. The region was also marked as the richest treasure of history and cultural heritage. It has a long tradition of conservation, when the first effort to save the forests made in the early 19th century. Holding the status of the oldest National Park of Asia as well as the First Tiger Reserve in India, Corbett symbolises a pioneer effort in preserving our natural resources. The legend hunter cum conservationist Sir Edward Jim Corbett requires a little introduction here. His valuable contribution in conserving this magical land is still alive in the minds and hearts of the people of Nainital and all over the world. His writings have motivated generations of wildlife enthusiasts. The area around the Corbett National Park was a mystery for him, so he started exploring the deep jungle. He faced a close encounter with many man-eating tigers and leopards, and took his hunting expeditions in the same areas.

Corbett’s Transition from Hunter to Conservationist

Edward James Corbett’s journey toward conservation was shaped strongly by his close association with Frederick Walter Champion, widely regarded as the first wildlife photographer and conservationist in both India and the United Kingdom. Champion’s approach to observing animals through a lens rather than a gun left a lasting impression on Corbett and gradually influenced his own outlook on wildlife.

In the early 1900s, while accompanying hunting expeditions, Corbett began to experience a quiet but powerful change in perspective. The animals he followed no longer appeared to him as mere targets. Instead, he observed their behaviours, family bonds, and social order, finding striking similarities to human communities. These observations led him to reflect deeply on the natural world and its delicate balance. He later expressed this belief in a simple yet meaningful thought: the forest gives only what one takes, and never more, highlighting nature’s inherent sense of balance.

As his understanding grew, Corbett’s methods evolved. By 1920, he was using his exceptional tracking skills less for hunting and more for photography. He often spent several days following tiger trails, driven not by the intent to shoot, but by the hope of capturing a rare moment on camera. Choosing patience and observation over the rifle marked a defining shift in his life. This period laid the foundation for Corbett’s enduring commitment to wildlife conservation and his respect for the natural world.