Royal Geographical Society

By Lee | May 13th, 2008 | 5 Comments »

I am very proud to write that I have been approved and elected a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society in London, UK. The Royal Geographical Society is the leading world center for geographical learning - supporting education, teaching, research and scientific expeditions, as well as promoting public understanding and enjoyment of geography. It is also a member of the Science Council. The society has merged with the Institute of British Geographers and is properly known as the Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers).

From the middle of the 19th century until the end of World War I, expeditions sponsored by the Royal Geographical Society were frequently front page news, and the opinions of its president and board members would be avidly sought by journalists and editors. Over the years, the Society has been a key associate and supporter of many famous explorers and expeditions, including those of: Charles Darwin; David Livingstone; James Kingston Tuckey; Ernest Shackleton; and the recently deceased Sir Edmund Hillary.

Since 1832, the Society’s prestigious medals and awards have recognized excellence in geographical research and fieldwork, teaching and public engagement. They are presented annually in recognition of those who have made outstanding achievements to the field of Geography and other sciences. Her Majesty The Queen approves the award of two Gold Medals every year. They originated in 1831, as an annual gift of fifty guineas from King William IV. In 1839, the Society decided that this sum should be converted into two gold medals of equal value, to be designated the Founder’s Medal and the Patron’s medal. Today, the Society’s Gold Medals are among the highest international accolades and are awarded for the encourgement and promotion of geography, science and discovery.

I am very proud to be associated with this elite society with such a rich and storied history. I am thrilled to be involved with an organization that has fostered expeditions by some of the most famous explorers and minds of recent centuries. I look forward to attending events and lectures and contributing to the society in any way I can.

I want to thank Chris Kohut, a Fellow of the Royal Geograhical Society and a member of the Travelers Century Club. He and his wife Janice are based out of London. They are responsible for nominating me, getting my nomination seconded and overseeing my application for Fellowship. I really appreciate the kindness your and your wife have shown me and I look forward to seeing you both again. The Kohut’s also run a fine website based upon their extensive travel. You can check it out here.