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Royal Scottish Geographical Society

January 28, 2024

The Royal Scottish Geographical Society (RSGS) is an educational charity based in Perth, Scotland founded in 1884. The purpose of the society is to advance the subject of geography worldwide, inspire people to learn more about the world around them, and provide a source of reliable and impartial geographical information.

Royal Scottish Geographical Society
Formation4 December 1884 (1884-12-04)
Location
Membership
2,700 (October 2019)
President
Iain Simpson Stewart
Chief Executive
Mike Robinson
Websitersgs.org

The RSGS delivers these core aims by producing a quarterly magazine, an annual programme of Inspiring People talks, a research journal, and a range of other publications. From its base in Perth, the society also operates a volunteer-led visitor centre, hosts an array of international exhibitions each year, and curates an archive dating back to its roots in 1884.

In addition, by working with partners around Scotland and further afield, the society encourages the teaching of geography in the curriculum, produces classroom resources for teachers, and facilitates thinking on issues such as climate change, city development and transport infrastructure, amongst many others.

Between 1904 and 1905, Sir Ernest Shackleton worked as the secretary of the society before resuming his career as an Antarctic explorer. Sir Edmund Hillary, Neil Armstrong, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Dame Freya Stark, Sir David Attenborough, Mary Robinson and Karen Darke have all received RSGS medals. Naomi Klein, James Cameron and the Dalai Lama, among others, have written for their magazine.

Since 2009, the society has been housed within Lord John Murray House in Perth; the society's visitor centre is next door in the Fair Maid's House, the oldest secular building in the city. The society was formerly based in the University of Strathclyde from 1994 to 2008, and before that at 10 Randolph Crescent in Edinburgh.

History edit

The originator of the idea for a national society of geography in Scotland was John George Bartholomew, of the Bartholomew family and map-making company in Edinburgh. Bartholomew felt that there was a low quality of map craftsmanship within Britain and a lack of geographical societies as compared with the rest of Europe, and set out to investigate the situation in other countries, particularly in Germany. As a result of this he began work in establishing a geographical society for Scotland.

Bartholomew was assisted by Mrs A. L. Bruce, the daughter of the explorer David Livingstone. She herself was a keen geographer, with a particular interest in Africa. Arthur Silva White, an experienced traveller and travel author, was also sought, and served as the Society's Secretary for the first 8 years.[citation needed] They sought the support of Professor James Geikie, Professor of Geology at the University of Edinburgh. Geikie had a keen interest in the advancement in geographical research and teaching, willingly giving his support to the project, and in December 1884 The Scottish Geographical Society (S.G.S.) was established. Recruiting members from many of Edinburgh's most prominent men and women, the Society managed to establish support from influential quarters. The S.G.S. encouraged members from scientific and academic backgrounds, providing a broad yet intellectual emphasis to its aims, as well as members of the general public, who joined more through interest or knowledge of the new discoveries than from any real interest in their own country.

The aims of the Society were diverse, yet exploration was seen as having less emphasis than research and education. The first edition of the Scottish Geographical Magazine stated: –

"... it is therefore one of the first objectives of the Scottish Geographical Society to advance the study of geography in Scotland: to impress the public with the necessity and inestimable value of a thorough knowledge of geography in a commercial, scientific or political education."

The SGS concentrated on education and research, against a backdrop interest in exploration and discovery, and the gathering together and dissemination of information from such activities. The SGS was founded at that point in the nineteenth century when the scientific climate prevailing in Scotland, and in particular Edinburgh, influenced the direction of the Society's goals and activities. With many academics as members, education and research were important issues to the Society.

At that time Edinburgh was the focus of geography within Scotland, with an active and lively scientific community from within which the seeds of a more balanced and scientific approach to geography would emerge. Yet, within a year of its foundation, the Scottish Geographical Society had established branches in Dundee, Aberdeen and Glasgow to cater for the strong local interest and active participation in its work.[1]

Chief amongst the RSGS's early achievements were its support for the quietly successful Scottish National Antarctic Expedition (1902–04), and the establishment of Scotland's first professorship in Geography, at the University of Edinburgh.

Membership edit

Membership of RSGS is open to all, regardless of geographical location. Member benefits include:

  • Free attendance at c.90 Illustrated Talks per year which are held at 13 RSGS Local Groups throughout Scotland;
  • Four editions of The Geographer magazine, per year;
  • Free access to the Society's learned periodical, Scottish Geographical Journal, online or in hard copy;
  • Access to the Society's research collections, including its library, from which books may be borrowed, and its map and photograph collections, which may be consulted by prior arrangement with the Curator;
  • Other benefits include excursions and field trips, travel offers and competitions.

Collections edit

The Society holds extensive collections of historical and contemporary maps, atlases, books, journals, photographs, film, drawings, paintings, scientific instruments, personal papers, and artefacts, relating to the whole world, but especially to Scotland and the many areas of the world explored and settled by Scots. Items in the collection form a valuable part of Scotland's heritage, often providing the only record of people, places, and events, including unique items such as photographs of early polar exploration, photographs by and of eminent explorers and mountaineers, expedition reports and diaries, and the RSGS's own archive.[2] There is a particularly important collection of early maps of Scotland with the earliest item dating from 1573. While many items are held in the RSGS headquarters in Perth, the majority of books are managed by the Andersonian Library at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. Films, including unique footage of the Scottish Antarctic Expedition from 1904, are lodged with the Scottish Screen Archive in Glasgow.[3] The Society's collections are managed by an enthusiastic team of volunteers and can be viewed by members by appointment.

Residences edit

The RSGS began a programme of residency in 2014, bringing on board specialists to help deliver its charitable aims and specific geographic output. The positions are all voluntary.

Explorers-In-Residence edit

The first Explorer-in-Residence was awarded to Craig Mathieson, a record-breaking Scottish explorer who established the Polar Academy in 2013, a charity which takes young adults to polar regions in order to improve their confidence. More recently, husband and wife team Luke and Hazel Robertson were the second recipients of the title. As part of their work with the RSGS, the pair travelled to Alaska in 2017 in an attempt to be the first to trek south to north across the country.[4] Unfortunately, the trip ended abruptly just short of the finish line as climate change induced melting of permafrost halted their progress onward.[5]

Writers-In-Residence edit

The first Writer-in-Residence was held by poet and author Hazel Buchan Cameron.[6] During her tenure, she worked with young writers to produce creative writing pieces inspired by the RSGS collections. This culminated in an exhibition at Perth Museum in late 2014. The second recipient of the title was Jo Woolf[7] who has brought the stories from RSGS history to life, most notably through the publication of her debut book, The Great Horizon. Published by Sandstone Press in 2017, this book features 50 inspiring stories from some of the most remarkable explorers, scientists and visionaries who have ever lived, all of whom have a connection to the Society. Woolf was awarded an Honorary Fellowship of the Society in 2018.[8]

Honorary Fellows edit

Honorary Fellowship, first awarded in 1888, is awarded in recognition of services to the Society and to the wider discipline of geography. Honorary Fellows may use the post-nominal designation FRSGS after their names.

Presidents of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society edit

Medals and awards edit

The Society awards a number of medals for outstanding contributions to geography and exploration.

Past Awards

  • RSGS Bronze Medal

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Scotland as the cradle of modern academic geography in Britain by Elspeth N. Lochhead (Scottish Geographical Magazine vol.97 no.2 (September 1981) p.98-109)
  2. ^ "RSGS Collections". rsgs.org. 11 July 2019.
  3. ^ "RSGS Collections". rsgs.org. 11 July 2019.
  4. ^ Fraser, Graham (13 February 2017). "Edinburgh couple to attempt world-first trek in Alaska". BBC News.
  5. ^ "Edinburgh 'eco' explorer couple halted by Alaska's climate change". scotsman.com.
  6. ^ "Writer in Residence". royalscottishgeographicalsociety.blogspot.com. 12 August 2014.
  7. ^ "About The Hazel Tree". thehazeltree.co.uk. 27 July 2011.
  8. ^ . perthcity.co.uk. 19 February 2018. Archived from the original on 20 June 2018.
  9. ^ Isaac Callan (8 February 2019). "Founder of Refuweegee recognised with the same fellowship as Sir David Attenborough". GlasgowLive. Retrieved 25 December 2021.

External links edit

  • Official website
  • RSGS Publications

January 28, 2024
royal, scottish, geographical, society, rsgs, educational, charity, based, perth, scotland, founded, 1884, purpose, society, advance, subject, geography, worldwide, inspire, people, learn, more, about, world, around, them, provide, source, reliable, impartial,. The Royal Scottish Geographical Society RSGS is an educational charity based in Perth Scotland founded in 1884 The purpose of the society is to advance the subject of geography worldwide inspire people to learn more about the world around them and provide a source of reliable and impartial geographical information Royal Scottish Geographical SocietyFormation4 December 1884 1884 12 04 LocationPerth ScotlandMembership2 700 October 2019 PresidentIain Simpson StewartChief ExecutiveMike RobinsonWebsitersgs wbr orgThe RSGS delivers these core aims by producing a quarterly magazine an annual programme of Inspiring People talks a research journal and a range of other publications From its base in Perth the society also operates a volunteer led visitor centre hosts an array of international exhibitions each year and curates an archive dating back to its roots in 1884 In addition by working with partners around Scotland and further afield the society encourages the teaching of geography in the curriculum produces classroom resources for teachers and facilitates thinking on issues such as climate change city development and transport infrastructure amongst many others Between 1904 and 1905 Sir Ernest Shackleton worked as the secretary of the society before resuming his career as an Antarctic explorer Sir Edmund Hillary Neil Armstrong Sir Ranulph Fiennes Dame Freya Stark Sir David Attenborough Mary Robinson and Karen Darke have all received RSGS medals Naomi Klein James Cameron and the Dalai Lama among others have written for their magazine Since 2009 the society has been housed within Lord John Murray House in Perth the society s visitor centre is next door in the Fair Maid s House the oldest secular building in the city The society was formerly based in the University of Strathclyde from 1994 to 2008 and before that at 10 Randolph Crescent in Edinburgh Contents 1 History 2 Membership 3 Collections 4 Residences 4 1 Explorers In Residence 4 2 Writers In Residence 5 Honorary Fellows 6 Presidents of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society 7 Medals and awards 8 See also 9 References 10 External linksHistory editThe originator of the idea for a national society of geography in Scotland was John George Bartholomew of the Bartholomew family and map making company in Edinburgh Bartholomew felt that there was a low quality of map craftsmanship within Britain and a lack of geographical societies as compared with the rest of Europe and set out to investigate the situation in other countries particularly in Germany As a result of this he began work in establishing a geographical society for Scotland Bartholomew was assisted by Mrs A L Bruce the daughter of the explorer David Livingstone She herself was a keen geographer with a particular interest in Africa Arthur Silva White an experienced traveller and travel author was also sought and served as the Society s Secretary for the first 8 years citation needed They sought the support of Professor James Geikie Professor of Geology at the University of Edinburgh Geikie had a keen interest in the advancement in geographical research and teaching willingly giving his support to the project and in December 1884 The Scottish Geographical Society S G S was established Recruiting members from many of Edinburgh s most prominent men and women the Society managed to establish support from influential quarters The S G S encouraged members from scientific and academic backgrounds providing a broad yet intellectual emphasis to its aims as well as members of the general public who joined more through interest or knowledge of the new discoveries than from any real interest in their own country The aims of the Society were diverse yet exploration was seen as having less emphasis than research and education The first edition of the Scottish Geographical Magazine stated it is therefore one of the first objectives of the Scottish Geographical Society to advance the study of geography in Scotland to impress the public with the necessity and inestimable value of a thorough knowledge of geography in a commercial scientific or political education The SGS concentrated on education and research against a backdrop interest in exploration and discovery and the gathering together and dissemination of information from such activities The SGS was founded at that point in the nineteenth century when the scientific climate prevailing in Scotland and in particular Edinburgh influenced the direction of the Society s goals and activities With many academics as members education and research were important issues to the Society At that time Edinburgh was the focus of geography within Scotland with an active and lively scientific community from within which the seeds of a more balanced and scientific approach to geography would emerge Yet within a year of its foundation the Scottish Geographical Society had established branches in Dundee Aberdeen and Glasgow to cater for the strong local interest and active participation in its work 1 Chief amongst the RSGS s early achievements were its support for the quietly successful Scottish National Antarctic Expedition 1902 04 and the establishment of Scotland s first professorship in Geography at the University of Edinburgh Membership editMembership of RSGS is open to all regardless of geographical location Member benefits include Free attendance at c 90 Illustrated Talks per year which are held at 13 RSGS Local Groups throughout Scotland Four editions of The Geographer magazine per year Free access to the Society s learned periodical Scottish Geographical Journal online or in hard copy Access to the Society s research collections including its library from which books may be borrowed and its map and photograph collections which may be consulted by prior arrangement with the Curator Other benefits include excursions and field trips travel offers and competitions Collections editThe Society holds extensive collections of historical and contemporary maps atlases books journals photographs film drawings paintings scientific instruments personal papers and artefacts relating to the whole world but especially to Scotland and the many areas of the world explored and settled by Scots Items in the collection form a valuable part of Scotland s heritage often providing the only record of people places and events including unique items such as photographs of early polar exploration photographs by and of eminent explorers and mountaineers expedition reports and diaries and the RSGS s own archive 2 There is a particularly important collection of early maps of Scotland with the earliest item dating from 1573 While many items are held in the RSGS headquarters in Perth the majority of books are managed by the Andersonian Library at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow Films including unique footage of the Scottish Antarctic Expedition from 1904 are lodged with the Scottish Screen Archive in Glasgow 3 The Society s collections are managed by an enthusiastic team of volunteers and can be viewed by members by appointment Residences editThe RSGS began a programme of residency in 2014 bringing on board specialists to help deliver its charitable aims and specific geographic output The positions are all voluntary Explorers In Residence edit The first Explorer in Residence was awarded to Craig Mathieson a record breaking Scottish explorer who established the Polar Academy in 2013 a charity which takes young adults to polar regions in order to improve their confidence More recently husband and wife team Luke and Hazel Robertson were the second recipients of the title As part of their work with the RSGS the pair travelled to Alaska in 2017 in an attempt to be the first to trek south to north across the country 4 Unfortunately the trip ended abruptly just short of the finish line as climate change induced melting of permafrost halted their progress onward 5 Writers In Residence edit The first Writer in Residence was held by poet and author Hazel Buchan Cameron 6 During her tenure she worked with young writers to produce creative writing pieces inspired by the RSGS collections This culminated in an exhibition at Perth Museum in late 2014 The second recipient of the title was Jo Woolf 7 who has brought the stories from RSGS history to life most notably through the publication of her debut book The Great Horizon Published by Sandstone Press in 2017 this book features 50 inspiring stories from some of the most remarkable explorers scientists and visionaries who have ever lived all of whom have a connection to the Society Woolf was awarded an Honorary Fellowship of the Society in 2018 8 Honorary Fellows editThis list is incomplete you can help by adding missing items August 2008 Honorary Fellowship first awarded in 1888 is awarded in recognition of services to the Society and to the wider discipline of geography Honorary Fellows may use the post nominal designation FRSGS after their names Adolphus Greely 1890 Adrien de Gerlache 1900 Albert I Prince of Monaco 1891 Albrecht Penck 1899 Alick Buchanan Smith 1974 Angus Buchanan 1924 Anne Glover 2014 Anne Princess Royal 1990 Arthur Jephson 1890 Arthur Silva White 1892 Augustus Charles Gregory 1902 Aurel Stein 1910 Barbara Young 2012 Borge Ousland 2014 Boyd Alexander 1908 Cameron McNeish 2009 Carl Chun 1900 Carsten Borchgrevink 1901 Charles Cochrane Baillie 1891 Charles Tupper 1894 Charles W J Withers 2010 Christopher Smout 2013 Clements Markham 1904 Craig Sams 2012 Crispin Tickell 1992 David Attenborough 2011 David E Sugden 2011 David Hempleman Adams 2012 David Shukman 2013 Don Cameron 2011 Doug Allan 2014 Doug Scott 2009 Ed Stafford 2011 Ernest Shackleton 1911 Ernst Georg Ravenstein 1889 Eugenius Warming 1909 Frederick Lugard 1892 Frederick Roberts 1893 Georges Lecointe 1900 Gilbert Hovey Grosvenor 1945 Greta Thunberg 2019 Gustav Hellmann 1909 Hamish Brown 2000 Hamish MacInnes 2007 Henry E O Neill 1889 Henry Ogg Forbes 1900 Henry Yule 1889 Hugh Alexander Webster 1888 Isabella Bird 1890 James Hunter 2001 Jason Lewis 2017 John Briggs 2001 John Christopher Bartholomew 1993 John Scott Keltie 1907 Karen Darke 2016 Kim Crosbie 2016 Laurence Pullar 1911 Leo Houlding 2014 Lewis Pugh 2011 Lord Charles Beresford 1899 Lord Foster 2011 Magnus Magnusson 1991 Mary Robinson 2012 Michael Palin 1993 Paul Vidal de La Blache 1909 Polly Higgins 2018 Ray Mears 2009 Robert H Nelson 1890 Robert Laws 1900 Robert William Felkin 1898 Rory Stewart 2009 Rosie Swale Pope 2011 Rune Gjeldnes 2010 Selina Hales 2019 9 Simon Pepper 2015 Sven Hedin 1902 Thomas Heazle Parke 1890 Tim Butcher 2013 Tom Weir 1992 Vanessa Lawrence 2014 William C Dunbar 1890 William Grant Stairs 1890 William MacGregor 1890 William Mackinnon 1890 Yann Arthus Bertrand 2009 Michael Portillo 2018 Presidents of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society edit1885 1891 The Earl of Rosebery KG KT 1891 1894 The Duke of Argyll KG KT 1894 1898 The Marquess of Lothian KT 1898 1904 Sir John Murray KCB 1904 1910 James Geikie DCL LLD FRS 1910 1914 The Earl of Stair 1914 1916 The Duke of Buccleuch KT 1916 1919 The Lord Guthrie LLD 1919 1925 The Lord Salvesen PC 1925 1930 The Viscount Novar KT GCMG 1930 1934 The Lord Elphinstone KT 1934 1937 The Lord Polwarth CBE 1937 1942 The Earl of Rosebery KT 1942 1946 Sir D Arcy Thomson Kt CB 1946 1950 Alan G Ogilvie OBE 1950 1954 John Bartholomew MC JP FRSGS 1954 1958 Douglas Allan CBE LLD DSc PhD FRSE FRSGS 1958 1962 The Earl of Wemyss and March LLD DL 1962 1968 The Hon Lord Cameron DSC MA LLB LLD DL 1968 1974 The Rt Hon Lord Balerno CBE TD MA DSc 1974 1977 Professor Ronald Miller MA PhD FRSE FRSGS 1977 1983 Professor James Wreford Watson MA PhD LLD FRSC FRSE FRSGS 1983 1987 The Viscount of Arbuthnott DSC MA FRSA FRICS 1987 1993 John C Bartholomew MA FRSE FRGS 1993 1999 The Viscount Younger of Leckie KT KCVO TD DL 1999 2005 The Earl of Dalkeith KBE DL 2005 2012 The Earl of Lindsay 2012 present Iain StewartMedals and awards editThe Society awards a number of medals for outstanding contributions to geography and exploration Scottish Geographical Medal Previously the RSGS Gold Medal Livingstone Medal President s Medal Mungo Park Medal Coppock Research Medal Geddes Environment Medal Shackleton Medal W S Bruce Medal Joy Tivy Education Medal The Newbigin Prize Bartholomew GlobePast Awards RSGS Bronze MedalSee also editGeography of Scotland History of science Learned societies List of British professional bodies List of Royal SocietiesReferences edit Scotland as the cradle of modern academic geography in Britain by Elspeth N Lochhead Scottish Geographical Magazine vol 97 no 2 September 1981 p 98 109 RSGS Collections rsgs org 11 July 2019 RSGS Collections rsgs org 11 July 2019 Fraser Graham 13 February 2017 Edinburgh couple to attempt world first trek in Alaska BBC News Edinburgh eco explorer couple halted by Alaska s climate change scotsman com Writer in Residence royalscottishgeographicalsociety blogspot com 12 August 2014 About The Hazel Tree thehazeltree co uk 27 July 2011 RSGS Honouring Volunteers Perth City perthcity co uk 19 February 2018 Archived from the original on 20 June 2018 Isaac Callan 8 February 2019 Founder of Refuweegee recognised with the same fellowship as Sir David Attenborough GlasgowLive Retrieved 25 December 2021 External links editOfficial website RSGS Publications Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Royal Scottish Geographical Society amp oldid 1181987344 Honorary Fellows, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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