Royal Geographical Society
The Royal Geographical Society was founded in London in 1830 as an institution to promote the advancement of geographical science. The society began as a dining club in which the members would hold informal dinners to discuss their current scientific issues.1
Under the patronage of King William IV, the society became known as the “Royal Geographical Society.” In 1859, they were granted a Royal Charter by Queen Victoria. Much of the information gained from the society came from colonial explorations, such as those in Africa, the Indian subcontinent, the polar regions, and central Asia.2 As well, it received information from abroad through paper submissions. In 1870, the society published Judge Begbie's paper on the Fraser River “drift benches” in British Columbia, along with diagrams; and in 1862 it published maps of BC's gold regions, sent by Colonel Moody.3
The society is located in Lowther Lodge, where it moved in 1913. It continues to hold the same goals as when it was first founded, although the manner in which they achieve them has been broadened. The society still utilized field research and expeditions, but now uses lectures, conferences, and historical collections. Today, the society is merged with its once sister body: The Institute of British Geographers.4
Mentions of this organization in the documents
People in this document

Begbie, Matthew Baillie

Moody, Richard Clement

Places in this document

British Columbia

Fraser River

London