Katharine Richardson (24 April 1854 - 20 August 1927) was an outstanding British female mountain climber. She was born in Edlington and made many first ascents in the Alps after 1879. She was well known for the first ascent of the ridge from the Aiguille de Bionnassay to the Dome de Gouter, in the Mont Blanc massif; a route that had defeated many experienced male climbers. She was so fit she went faster than her guide for whom she had to wait for 45 minutes while he recovered. Amongst her notable achievements was the prized first female ascent of the Meije in 1888. After this ascent she met Mary Paillon (1848-1946), and they climbed together and lived in the Paillon home at Oullins, Rhône, France, where Richardson died in 1927.