Benjamin Patronius

Benjamin Patronius (b. 1875) is a medical doctor (MD, Harvard, 1902) and millionaire with a lifelong curiosity for antiquities and a love of high adventure. He was severely injured at the age of 30 in a mountain climbing accident during a 1905 attempt to summit Kanchenunga. The accident resulted in the loss of one eye and left Patronius crippled, able to walk only with the aid of a cane and leg brace. It did nothing however to staunch his desire for adventure. He joined The Explorers Club later that year, dedicating himself to sponsoring a number of scientific expeditions, as well as providing patronage to a number of individual club members.

Patronius is an intense and often disagreeable personality; he is driven by a number of obsessions, the pursuit of which has made him many enemies. He is a generous contributor and sponsor to a variety of expeditions and adventurers.