Royal Geographical Society facts for kids

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Royal Geographical Society

Main entrance from the Exhibition Road extension, with the original Lowther Lodge to the right
Abbreviation	RGS-IBG
Formation	1830; 195 years ago (1830)
Type	Learned society
Headquarters	1 Kensington Gore, London
Membership	16,500
President	Nigel Clifford
Director	Joe Smith
Patron	Princess Anne

The Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers), often called RGS, is a special group for geography experts in the United Kingdom. It's like a club for people who love learning about the Earth and its features.

The RGS started in 1830 to help geography grow as a science. Today, it has over 16,000 members. They share knowledge through books, research, and talks. The RGS also helps train professional geographers.

Exploring the World of Geography

How the RGS Began

The RGS was founded on July 16, 1830. Back then, it was called the Geographical Society of London. Its main goal was to push forward the study of geography.

Lowther Lodge, the main building of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG). It was designed by Richard Norman Shaw.

Seven people started the society. They included a geographer, a geologist, and a botanist. The first President was a former Prime Minister, Viscount Goderich.

At first, the RGS met in different places in London. In 1870, it moved to 1 Savile Row. Later, in 1913, it moved to its current home, Lowther Lodge, in Kensington Gore.

Becoming "Royal"

The society became the Royal Geographical Society (RGS) with the support of King William IV. Queen Victoria officially recognized it with a royal charter in 1859. This made it a very important organization.

Supporting Great Explorers

For many years, the RGS was closely linked to famous explorations. These included journeys to Africa, the Arctic, and Asia. The society supported many well-known explorers and their trips.

Some of these famous explorers include Darwin, Livingstone, Stanley, Scott, Shackleton, and Hillary. They sent their findings, maps, and knowledge back to the RGS. This helped build the society's amazing collections.

The RGS also helped make geography a subject taught in universities. They funded the first geography jobs at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge.

Joining Forces with Other Geographers

In 1933, another group called the Institute of British Geographers (IBG) was formed. This group focused more on studying geography in a scientific way. The RGS and IBG worked separately for 60 years.

A 2012 poster for an exhibition about Scott's final trip to the South Pole.

In 1995, the two groups decided to join together. This created the Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers).

Since 2004, the RGS has made its historical collections open to everyone. They also added a new type of membership for people who just love geography.

How the RGS Works

The Council

The RGS is run by a group of people called the council. This council is led by the society's president. Members of the council are chosen by the society's fellows (special members). The council has 36 members. They help guide the society and its work.

The RGS also has five special committees. These groups give advice on things like education, research, and expeditions.

Leaders of the RGS

Here are some of the people who have been President of the Royal Geographical Society:

1830–1833 Frederick, Viscount Goderich
1833–1835 Sir George Murray
1835–1837 Sir John Barrow
1837–1839 William Richard Hamilton
1839–1841 George Greenough
1841–1843 William Richard Hamilton
1843–1845 Sir Roderick Murchison
1845–1847 Charles, Lord Colchester
1847–1849 William J. Hamilton
1849–1851 Admiral William Smyth
1851–1853 Sir Roderick Murchison
1853–1855 Francis, Earl of Ellesmere
1855–1856 Frederick William Beechey
1856–1859 Sir Roderick Murchison
1859–1860 George, Earl de Grey and Ripon
1860–1862 Bingham, Lord Ashburton
1862–1871 Sir Roderick Murchison
1871–1873 Sir Henry Rawlinson
1873–1874 Sir Henry Frere
1874–1876 Sir Henry Rawlinson
1876–1878 Sir Rutherford Alcock
1878–1879 Frederick, Earl of Dufferin
1879–1880 Thomas, Earl of Northbrook
1880–1885 Henry, Lord Aberdare
1885–1886 John, Marquis of Lorne
1886–1887 Henry, Lord Aberdare
1887–1889 Sir Richard Strachey
1889–1893 Sir Mountstuart Grant Duff
1893–1905 Sir Clements Markham
1905–1908 Sir George Goldie
1908–1911 Leonard Darwin
1911–1914 George, Earl Curzon of Kedleston
1914–1917 Douglas Freshfield
1917–1919 Sir Thomas Holdich
1919–1922 Francis Younghusband
1922–1925 Lawrence, Earl Ronaldshay
1925–1927 David George Hogarth
1927–1930 Charles Close
1930–1933 Admiral Sir William Goodenough
1933–1936 Sir Percy Cox
1936–1938 Henry Balfour
1938–1941 Sir Philip Chetwode
1941–1945 Sir George Clerk
1945–1948 Francis, Lord Rennell
1948–1951 Sir Harry Lindsay
1951–1954 Sir James Wordie
1954–1958 Sir James Marshall-Cornwall
1958–1961 Roger, Lord Nathan
1961–1963 Raymond Priestley
1963–1966 Sir Dudley Stamp
1966–1969 Sir Gilbert Laithwaite
1969–1971 Sir Edmund Irving
1971–1974 Edward, Lord Shackleton
1974–1977 Sir Duncan Cumming
1977–1980 John, Lord Hunt
1980–1982 Michael Wise
1982–1984 Sir Vivian Fuchs
1984–1987 Sir George Bishop
1987–1989 Roger, Lord Chorley
1989–1993 Sir Crispin Tickell
1993–1997 George, Earl Jellicoe
1997–2000 John, Earl Selborne
2000–2003 Sir Ronald Cooke
2003–2006 Sir Neil Cossons
2006–2009 Sir Gordon Conway
2009–2012 Sir Michael Palin
2012–2015 Dame Judith Rees
2015–2018 Nicholas Crane
2018–2021 Lynda, Baroness Chalker
2021–present Nigel Clifford

Joining the RGS

There are different ways to be a member of the RGS.

Membership for Everyone

Anyone who is interested in geography can apply to become a member.

Student Membership

If you are studying geography in school (like GCSE or A-Level) or at university, you can become a student member.

Associate Fellowship

This is for students who are doing advanced studies (postgraduate) or who have recently finished their first university degree.

Fellowship

Fellows are special members who are experts in geography. They come from many different jobs. To become a fellow, you usually need to be suggested by another fellow. You can also show your own work and studies in geography. Fellows can use the letters FRGS after their names.

Becoming a Chartered Geographer

The official seal for a Chartered Geographer.

Since 2002, the RGS can give out the title of "Chartered Geographer." This is a special recognition for professional geographers. To get it, you need a geography degree and at least six years of experience. Or, if you don't have a degree, you need 15 years of experience. People with this title can use "CGeog" after their names.

There's also "Chartered Geographer (teacher)." This is for teachers who are great at using geography in their lessons. They also promise to keep learning and improving their skills.

Geography Research Groups

The RGS has 27 research groups. These groups bring together geographers who are studying specific areas of geography. Each group holds its own meetings, workshops, and events.

Research groups
Biogeography Research Group	British Society for Geomorphology
Climate Change Research Group	Contract Research and Teaching Forum
Developing Areas Research Group	Economic geography Research Group
Geographical Information Science Research Group	Geography of Health Research Group
Geography of Leisure and Tourism Research Group	Higher Education Research Group
Geographies of Justice Research Group
Historical Geography Research Group	History and Philosophy of Geography Research Group
Mountain Research Group	Participatory Geographies Working Group
Planning and Environment Research Group	Political geography Research Group
Population geography Research Group	Postgraduate Forum
The Post-Socialist Geographies Research Group	Quantitative Methods Research Group
Rural Geography Research Group	Social and Cultural Geography Research Group
Space, ... and Queer Research Group	Transport Geography Research Group
Urban geography Research Group	Women and Geography Research Group

Awards for Geographers

The RGS gives out awards to geographers who have done amazing things in the field.

Top Awards

The most important awards are the Founder's Medal and the Patron's Medal. These are given for "encouraging and promoting geographical science and discovery." King Charles III approves these awards.

These medals started in 1831 as a gift from King William IV. Many famous geographers have received them. These include David Livingstone (1855) and Alfred Russel Wallace (1892).

Other Awards

The RGS gives out 17 medals and awards in total. Some other awards include:

The Victoria Medal (1902) for "great research in Geography."
The Murchison Award (1882) for the "best contribution to geographical science."
The Back Award (1882) for "geographical studies that help public policy."
The Cherry Kearton Medal and Award for "travelers interested in nature photography or art."
The Ness Award for "travelers who have helped people understand geography."

Amazing Collections

An old symbol of the Royal Geographical Society.

The RGS has a huge collection of over two million items. These include documents, maps, photos, paintings, and books. They cover 500 years of geography, travel, and exploration. The RGS keeps these items safe for the future. They also let the public see them and use them for learning.

Special Items

The RGS has over a thousand special items called artefacts. These are cultural objects from all over the world. They include things like Inuit boots and tools used by explorers. You can even see Shackleton's Burberry helmet!

Expedition Reports

There are 4,500 expedition reports at the RGS. These documents share details about research and achievements from trips around the world.

Maps and Atlases

The RGS has one of the biggest private map collections anywhere. It has one million map sheets and 3,000 atlases. The oldest map is from 1482! They also have old handwritten maps and aerial photos.

Old Documents

The RGS keeps many old documents. These include papers from before the society started in 1830. They are very helpful for learning about old travelers and how geography developed.

Recorded Talks

Since 1994, the RGS has recorded most of its Monday night talks. Members can watch many of these talks online.

Photos and Art

The society's picture library has over half a million photos and artworks. These go back to about 1830. They include historic images from the Antarctic trips of Scott and Shackleton.

Helping with Research and Travel

The RGS helps fund geographical research and scientific trips. They offer many grants (money) to researchers, students, and travelers. Each year, they support over 70 projects.

Grants for Expeditions and Fieldwork

The RGS helps students and researchers go on fieldwork trips. They also support international field centers in developing countries.

Grants for Students

Each year, the RGS helps more than 50 student projects. This includes university students collecting data for their studies. Grants are available for both human and physical geography projects.

Grants for Researchers

The society supports research by geography experts. This includes fieldwork and smaller projects. They also help academics attend geography conferences.

Grants for Teachers

The RGS supports new ways of teaching geography in schools and universities. They offer awards for teachers to work with researchers. This helps them create new learning materials for the classroom.

Connecting with People

21st Century Challenges

This is a series of talks by the RGS. It helps people understand big issues that will affect our lives in the future. The talks happen at the RGS building and are also available online.

Discovering Britain

Discovering Britain is a website with walking guides. These walks help you learn about the UK's landscapes. Each walk explains how nature, people, and history have shaped an area. There are over 120 walks covering all parts of the UK.

Hidden Journeys

Hidden Journeys is a project that started in 2010. It uses images, stories, and maps from the RGS collections. It creates interactive guides for popular flight paths. This lets people explore the amazing places they fly over.

For example, Singapore Airlines has used Hidden Journeys content on some of its flights. As you fly, you can see information about the places below you.

Supporting Schools

The RGS helps teachers, students, and parents with geography education. They offer courses, learning materials, and competitions.

Learning Materials

The society creates case studies and lesson plans for all ages. Their "Geography in the News" website has over 300 current topics for students. Many of their resources are free to use.

Geography Ambassadors

The Geography Ambassadors program trains university students and young professionals. These volunteers visit schools and lead fun, activity-based sessions. They help introduce students to the benefits of studying geography. Over 30,000 students learn from them each year!

Competitions

The RGS also holds competitions for geography students. The "Young Geographer of the Year" has categories for different age groups. Students create posters or write essays on a given topic. There are also awards for the best A-Level coursework.