**History and Governance**:
– Founded in 1830 as Geographical Society of London.
– Absorbed African Association, Raleigh Club, and Palestine Association.
– Renamed Royal Geographical Society under King William IV.
– Key role in colonial exploration and support for famous explorers.
– Council chaired by the president, consisting of 36 members.
– Eligible for anyone interested in geography to become a member.
– Different membership categories like Student, Associate Fellowship, and Fellowship.
– Chartered Geographer status requirements and benefits.
– Awards for geographers contributing to the field.
**Collections and Artefacts**:
– Over two million documents, maps, photographs, and artifacts in collections.
– Collections spanning 500 years of geography, travel, and exploration.
– Preservation for future generations with public access.
– Artefacts collection with over a thousand items from around the world.
– Continual demand for artefacts from the collection.
**Research and Publications**:
– 27 active research groups organizing seminars, conferences, and workshops.
– Awards for contributors to geography advancement.
– Library with over 150,000 bound volumes and 800 journal titles.
– Expedition reports detailing achievements and research results.
– Scholarly publications accessed over a million times per year.
**Education and Resources**:
– Educational resources like case studies, lesson plans, and activity ideas.
– Geography Ambassador scheme for engaging with students.
– Competitions like Young Geographer of the Year and David W. Smith Memorial Award.
– Courses, resources, accreditation, grants, and awards for schools.
– More than 300 topical case studies available for student members.
**Outreach and Miscellaneous**:
– Hidden Journeys project for public engagement since 2010.
– Geography in the News website for student members.
– Events, recordings, and teaching resources available.
– External links for further exploration and access to media.
– Picture library, archival materials, and geographic coordinates for reference.
The Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers), often shortened to RGS, is a learned society and professional body for geography based in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1830 for the advancement of geographical sciences, the society has 16,000 members, with its work reaching the public through publications, research groups and lectures.
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 Main entrance from the Exhibition Road extension, with the original Lowther Lodge to the right | |
| Abbreviation | RGS-IBG |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1830 |
| Type | Learned society |
| Headquarters | 1 Kensington Gore, London |
Membership | 16,500 |
President | Nigel Clifford |
Director | Joe Smith |
Patron | Princess Anne |
| Website | www |
The RGS was founded in 1830 under the name Geographical Society of London as an institution to promote the 'advancement of geographical science'. It later absorbed the older African Association, which had been founded by Sir Joseph Banks in 1788, as well as the Raleigh Club and the Palestine Association. In 1995 it merged with the Institute of British Geographers, a body for academic geographers, to become officially the Royal Geographical Society with IBG.
The society is governed by its council, which is chaired by the society's president, according to a set of statutes and standing orders. The members of council and the president are elected from and by its fellows, who are allowed to use the postnominal title FRGS. As a chartered body, the RGS holds the Register of Chartered Geographers in the public interest, a source of qualified, practising and experienced professional geographers. Fellows may apply for chartership if they fulfil the criteria.