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.
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. 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.
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.