The archive consists of leaflets and press cuttings concerning the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU), the Women's Freedom League and other suffrage organisations (c 1907-1918); postcard portrait of Mrs Despard (undated); WSPU postcard (undated); notebook of visit to Downing Street to present petition (1919); correspondence with the Suffragette Fellowship Reading Room (1937-1938).

Out-letter books of the Royal Geographical Society, including manuscript copies of official letters, 1836-1893 and press copies of Secretaries' letters, 1863-1872 and 1877-1916. These files contain outgoing letters only, ingoing correspondence is held separately in the correspondence blocks.

Articles and letters by various authors relating to physical geography, sent to the Royal Geographical Society for publication in its Journals, 1833-1952. The articles were often sent to referees and their reports are often to be found with the article, in some cases the referee report has been retained even though the article has been returned to the author.

Articles and letters by various authors relating to New Zealand, sent to the Royal Geographical Society for publication in its Journals, 1838-1946. The articles were often sent to referees and their reports are often to be found with the article, in some cases the referee report has been retained even though the article has been returned to the author.

Articles and letters by various authors relating to the Near and Middle East including Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan and Turkey, sent to the Royal Geographical Society for publication in its Journals, 1830-1958. The articles were often sent to referees and their reports are often to be found with the article, in some cases the referee report has been retained even though the article has been returned to the author.

Articles and letters by various authors on miscellaneous subjects, sent to the Royal Geographical Society for publication in its Journals, 1830-1952. The articles were often sent to referees and their reports are often to be found with the article, in some cases the referee report has been retained even though the article has been returned to the author.

Letters and articles by various authors relating to maps and map making, sent to the Royal Geographical Society for publication in its Journals, 1830-1952. The articles were often sent to referees and their reports are often to be found with the article, in some cases the referee report has been retained even though the article has been returned to the author.

Articles and letters by various authors relating to the islands of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans, including West New Guinea, sent to the Royal Geographical Society for publication in its Journals, 1830-1952. The articles were often sent to referees and their reports are often to be found with the article, in some cases the referee report has been retained even though the article has been returned to the author.

Articles and letters by various authors relating to Japan, including small off-shore islands, sent to the Royal Geographical Society for publication in its Journals, 1839-1951. The articles were often sent to referees and their reports are often to be found with the article, in some cases the referee report has been retained even though the article has been returned to the author.

Articles and letters by various authors relating to the Far East including China and Korea, sent to the Royal Geographical Society for publication in its Journals, 1844-1951. The articles were often sent to referees and their reports are often to be found with the article, in some cases the referee report has been retained even though the article has been returned to the author.

Articles and letters by various authors relating to Europe, sent to the Royal Geographical Society for publication in its Journals, 1831-1964. The articles were often sent to referees and their reports are often to be found with the article, in some cases the referee report has been retained even though the article has been returned to the author.

Articles and letters by various authors relating to Australlia, including Papua New Guinea, sent to the Royal Geographical Society for publication in its Journals, 1830-1952. The articles were often sent to referees and their reports are often to be found with the article, in some cases the referee report has been retained even though the article has been returned to the author.

Articles and letters by various authors relating to Southern Asia, including India, Afghanistan and Tibet, sent to the Royal Geographical Society for publication in its Journals, 1830-1952. The articles were often sent to referees and their reports are often to be found with the article, in some cases the referee report has been retained even though the article has been returned to the author.

Articles and letters by various authors relating to South East Asia including Burma, Indonesia, Philipines and Vietnam, sent to the Royal Geographical Society for publication in its Journals, 1834-1947. The articles were often sent to referees and their reports are often to be found with the article, in some cases the referee report has been retained even though the article has been returned to the author.

Articles and letters by various authors relating to Central Asia, including Asiatic Russia, Mongolia and Sinkiang, sent to the Royal Geographical Society for publication in its Journals, 1836-1947. The articles were often sent to referees and their reports are often to be found with the article, in some cases the referee report has been retained even though the article has been returned to the author.

Articles and letters by various authors relating to the Arctic, sent to the Royal Geographical Society for publication in its Journals, 1835-1952. The articles were often sent to referees and their reports are often to be found with the article, in some cases the referee report has been retained even though the article has been returned to the author.

Articles and letters by various authors relating to Antarctica, sent to the Royal Geographical Society for publication in its Journals, 1839-1952. The articles were often sent to referees and their reports are often to be found with the article, in some cases the referee report has been retained even though the article has been returned to the author.

Articles and letters by various authors relating to Central America, including the Caribbean, sent to the Royal Geographical Society for publication in its Journals, 1833-1944. The articles were often sent to referees and their reports are often to be found with the article, in some cases the referee report has been retained even though the article has been returned to the author.

Articles and letters by various authors relating to South America, sent to the Royal Geographical Society for publication in its Journals, 1830-1951. The articles were often sent to referees and their reports are often to be found with the article, in some cases the referee report has been retained even though the article has been returned to the author.

Articles and letters by various authors relating to North America, sent to the Royal Geographical Society for publication in its Journals, 1830-1952. The articles were often sent to referees and their reports are often to be found with the article, in some cases the referee report has been retained even though the article has been returned to the author.

Articles and letters by various authors relating to North and West Africa, particularly Libya, Chad, Central African Republic and states west, sent to the Royal Geographical Society for publication in its Journals, [1830]-1952. The articles were often sent to referees and their reports are often to be found with the article, in some cases the referee report has been retained even though the article has been returned to the author.

Articles and letters by various authors relating to the Nile region, Africa, including Ethiopia and Somalia, sent to the Royal Geographical Society for publication in its Journals, 1827-1952. The articles were often sent to referees and their reports are often to be found with the article, in some cases the referee report has been retained even though the article has been returned to the author.

Articles and letters by various authors relating to Central, South and East Africa, including Madagascar, sent to the Royal Geographical Society for publication in its Journals, 1830-1952. The articles were often sent to referees and their reports are often to be found with the article, in some cases the referee report has been retained even though the article has been returned to the author.

A collection of articles and letters sent to the Royal Geographical Society for publication in its Journals. This material covers all aspects of geography and exploration across the globe. This includes material from some of the most celebrated 19th and early 20th Century explorations, throughout the World. The articles were often sent to referees and their reports are often to be found with the article, in some cases the referee report has been retained even though the article has been returned to the author.

Fellowship certificates of Fellows, Honorary Corresponding Members and Life Fellows of the Royal Geographical Society, 1840-1988. The certificates contain the following information: names of proposers, dates candidates were proposed and elected and details about the candidate including place of residence, description and on occasion their qualifications for becoming a Fellow.

Director's Correspondence collection, 1947 onwards, consists of correspondence with the Society since 1947. The material consists of communication with the Director's Office, both incoming and out-going letters, covering a wide range of administrative matters and geographical subjects. Files may contain a variety of printed items such as journal off prints, lecture bills and photographs.

Royal Geographical Society Correspondence Block, 1941-1946, consists of correspondence with the Society covering administrative matters as well as all aspects of geography and exploration throughout the world. These files contain incoming letters only, replies are held separately in the out-letter books. Authors include Prof Hans Ahlmann, William G V Balchin, Miss Lucy Evelyn Cheesman, Francis Chichester, Augustine Courtauld, Charles Frederick Arden-Close, Thomas Walter Freeman, Rupert Thomas Gould, Edward Heawood, Arthur R Hinks, Thomas Henry Manning, Einar Mikkelsen, Prof Eva Germaine Rimington Taylor, Prof James Alfred Steers, Sir Mark Aurel Stein, Frank Sydney Smythe, James Mann Wordie, the War Office, United Nations, K S Sandford, Scott Polar Research Institute, Wilfred Thesiger and the Ordnance Survey.

Royal Geographical Society Correspondence Block, 1931-1940, consists of correspondence with the Society covering administrative matters as well as all aspects of geography and exploration throughout the world. These files contain incoming letters only, replies are held separately in the out-letter books. Authors include Latham Valentine Stewart Blacker, British Grahamland Expedition; Francis Chichester; Vivian Fuchs; Tom H Harrison, William Harold and Doreen Constance Ingrams, Ronald Kaulbeck, Eric Shipton, Wilfred Thesiger, Brig Ralph Alger Bagnold, Dr John Ball, Louis Charles Bernacchi, Charles Kenneth Howard Bury, Commander Richard Evelyn Byrd, Douglas Carruthers, Gertrude Caton-Tompson, F Spencer Chapman, Augustine Courtauld, Sir Percy Z Cox, Frank Debenham, George Miller Dyott, Lincoln Ellsworth, Filippi de Filipo, Rosita Forbes, Douglas William Freshfield, William Joseph Harding King, Halford J Mackinder, Thomas Henry Manning, Sir Douglas Mawson, Dr Hugh Robert Mill, Mrs Wilhelmina Ness, Edward Felix Norton, Noel Ewart Odell, Harry St John Philby, Alexander Hamilton Rice, Hugh Ruttledge, Francis Sydney Smythe, Prof James Alfred Steers, Vilhjalmur Stefansson, Sir Mark Aurel Stein, Sir Percy Molesworth Sykes, Prof Eva Germaine Rimington Taylor, L R Wagner, Frank Kingdon Ward, Henry 'Gino' Watkins and Sir Francis Younghusband.

Royal Geographical Society Correspondence Block, 1921-1930, consists of correspondence with the Society covering administrative matters as well as all aspects of geography and exploration throughout the world. These files contain incoming letters only, replies are held separately in the out-letter books. Authors include the Alpine Club, Charles Frederick Arden-Close, John Baddeley, Brig R A Bagnold, Dr John Ball, Louis Charles Bernacchi, Brig Gen Clarence Dalrymple Bruce, Commader Richard Evelyn Byrd, Sir Douglas Carruthers, Gertrude Caton-Thompson, Maj Robert Ernest Cheesman, Augustine Courtauld, Sir Percy Cox, Frank Debenham, George Miller Dyott, Lincoln Ellsworth, Filippi de Filippo, Rosita Forbes, Sir George Fordham, Sir Douglas William Freshfield, Sir Harry Hamilton Johnston, William Joseph Harding King, Dr Tom George Longstaff, Halford J Mackinder, Sir Douglas Mawson, Dr Hugh Robert Mill, Fridtjof Nansen, Mrs Wilhelmina Ness, Edward Felix Norton, Noel Ewart Odell, Harry St John Philby, A Hamilton Rice, Hugh Ruttledge, Frank S Smythe, Michael A Spender, Prof James Alfred Steers, Vilhjalmur Stefansson, Sir Mark Aurel Stein, Sir Percy M Sykes, Prof Eva G R Taylor, Bertram Thomas, Frank Kingdon Ward, James Mann Wordie, Sir Francis Younghusband and Henry Gino Watkins.

Royal Geographical Society Correspondence Block, 1911-1920, consists of correspondence with the Society covering administrative matters as well as all aspects of geography and exploration throughout the world. These files contain incoming letters only, replies are held separately in the out-letter books. Authors include Roald Amundsen, the Anglo Swedish Antarctic Expedition, Henry Haversham Godwin Austen, Miss Gertrude Bell, William Spiers Bruce, Prof Hiram Bingham, Douglas Carruthers, Charles Frederick Arden-Close, Sir William Martin Conway, John Lachlan Cope, Lord George Nathaniel Curzon, Charles M Doughty, Douglas William Freshfield, Sven Hedrin, Sir Thomas Hungerford Holdich, Sir Harry Hamilton Johnston, Dr Alexander Mitchell Kellas, Sir John Scott Keltie, Prince Peter Kropotkin, Sir Clements Robert Markham, Kate Marsden, Dr Douglas Mawson, Dr Hugh Robert Mill, Fridtjof Nansen, Dr Hamilton Rice, William Routledge, Katherine Routledge, Capt Robert Falcon Scott, J Foster Stackhouse, Vilhjalmur Stefansson, Sir Mark Aurel Stein, Sir Everard im Thurn, Frank Kingdon Ward, Lt James Mann Wordie and Sir Francis Younghusband.

Royal Geographical Society Correspondence Block, 1851-1860, consists of correspondence with the Society covering administrative matters as well as all aspects of geography and exploration throughout the world. These files contain incoming letters only, replies are held separately in the out-letter books. Authors include Roald Amundson, Herbert Henry Austin, Louis Bernacchi, James Theodore Bent, Carsten E Borchgrevinck, William Spiers Bruce, Sir William Martin Conway, Charles Montagu Doughty, Douglas William Freshfield, Francis Galton, Sir David Gill, James Augustus Grant, Rev George Grenfell, Sven Hedin, Dr Joseph Dalton Hooker, Col Thomas Hungerford Holdich, Sir Harry Hamilton Johnston, Sir John Scott Keltie, Mary Kingsley, Sir John Kirk, Prince Peter Kropotkin, Henry Savage Landor, F.D. Lugard, Sir Halford John Mackinder, Sir Clements Markham, Fridtjof Nansen, Adolf Erik Nordenskiold, Adm Sir Eramus Ommanney, Robert Edwin Peary, Dr John Rae, Capt Cecil Godfrey Rawling, Sir Henry Creswicke Rawlinson, Dr. A Donaldson Smith, Sir Marc Aurel Stein, Otto Sverdrup, Everard im Thurn, Joseph Thomson, Gen James T Walker, Rev Horace Waller, Edward Whymper, Lt. Gen Francis Reginald Wingate, Sir Francis Edward Younghusband and Col Henry Yule.

Royal Geographical Society Correspondence Block, 1861-1870, consists of correspondence with the Society covering administrative matters as well as all aspects of geography and exploration throughout the world. These files contain incoming letters only, replies are held separately in the out-letter books. Authors include Charles T Beke, William Bollaert, Richard Francis Burton, John Thomas Baines, Ney Elias, Col Sir George Everest, Francis Galton, Joseph Dalton Hooker, Dr John Kirk, Clements R Markham, John Petherick and the Zoological Society.

Royal Geographical Society Correspondence Block, 1851-1860, consists of correspondence with the Society covering administrative matters as well as all aspects of geography and exploration throughout the world. These files contain incoming letters only, replies are held separately in the out-letter books. Authors include the Admiralty, Sir James Edward Alexander, Capt Henry Haversham Godwin-Austen, Dr William Balfour Baikie, Samuel W Baker, John Thomas Baines, John Bartholomew Junior, Dr Heinrick Barth, James Silk Buckingham, Richard Francis Burton, Board of Education, Earl of Ellesmere, Lt Col George Everest, Lady Jane Franklin, Francis Galton, Sir John W Herschel, Joseph Hume / India Office, London Missionary Society, Sir Roderick Impey Murchison, Erasmus Ommanney, Maj Gen Edward Sabine, Dr Norton Shaw, Charles Stuart, the War Office and Alfred Russel Wallace.

Royal Geographical Society Correspondence Block, 1834-1840, consists of correspondence with the Society covering administrative matters as well as all aspects of geography and exploration throughout the world. These files contain incoming letters only, replies are held separately in the out-letter books. Authors include William Ainsworth, Sir George Back, Sir John Barrow, Captain F Beaufort, F W Beechey, William Bollaert, James Brooke, Sir Alexander Burnes, F R Chesney, Colonial Office, Charles Darwin, Capt Robert Fitzroy, W R Hamilton, William Hilhouse, Alexander Maconochie, Woodbine Parish, Henry Creswicke Rawlingson, Dr John Richardson, Robert H Schomburgk and Sir J Gardner Wilkinson.

Royal Geographical Society Correspondence Block 1830-1833 consists of correspondence with the Society in the first four years after its foundation. The letters cover administrative matters as well as all aspects of Geography and exploration throughout the world. These files contain incoming letters only, replies are held separately in the out-letter books. Authors include John Arrowsmith, Sir George Back, Friedrich Bialloblotsky, Robert Fitzroy, William Richard Hamilton, Baron Alexander von Humboldt, Alexander Maconochie, William Marsden, Paris Geographical Society, Dr John Richardson and Robert Hermann Schomburgk.

Papers relating to the work of the Royal Geographical Society, cientific enquiries, instruments and instruction, 1830-1938, including rough minutes of the Scientific Committee, 1830; note on the potential effects of the projected magnetic expedition, 1842; draft letter to Sir Robert Peel, 1843; plan for correcting and extending knowledge of the Chinese Empire; suggestions for the captains of vessels proceeding to the Antarctic seas, 1892; notes on instruments including of the Instruments Committee, 1857-1860; memorandum on training travellers to make useful scientific observations, by Clements Markham, 1879; draft of proposed arrangement with Mr Coles for instruction, 1879; rough minutes of Scientific Purposes Committee, 1879; instruction and instrument report, 1881; list of instruments lent to travellers, 1877-1883; proposals for instruments, 1884; report on instruments, 1894; prospectus for a 'Course of Instruction in Practical Astronomy and Surveying…' as given by E A Reeves, 1922; 'Course of instruction in exploratory survey and field astronomy', by Col C F Close, 1931; minutes, notes and correspondence of the Committee of Supervision of Instruction, 1936-1938 and instruments catalogues, 1862-1941.

Papers relating to Royal Geographical Society staff, appointments and duties including duties in the Second World War, including correspondence; papers relating to the appointment of the Secretary, 1840-1945; applications for positions; duties of positions including the Map Curator, 1877, the Map Draughtsman, 1877 and House Staff, 1932; pay sheets, 1880-1893; reports on staff salaries, pensions and reorganization; log book of deaths resignations and defaulters, 1895-1916; staff book, 1945-1946; staff signing in books; papers on wages and salaries; papers relating to Second World War duties including air raid precautions and firefighting instructions and firewatcher's logbooks.

Samples of Royal Geographical Society printed material, 1903-1979, including Fellows ticket of Rev G F Whidbourne, 1903-1904; printed notice of Christmas lectures, 1979, ticket for Edmund Hillary lecture, 19 Feb 1979 and incomplete series of programmes for meetings, 1920-1970.

Papers relating to Royal Geographical Society publications including the Journal of the Royal Geographical Society (JRGS) and Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society (PRGS), 1837-1987, including a list of institutions which received the JRGS, 1850; papers concerning the distribution of the PRGS, 1856 and 1859; report of the PRGS committee, 1878; expenditure and income of the PRGS; note on advertisements in the PRGS, 1880; list and related correspondence of advertisements in the JRGS, 1879; leaflets for advertising in the JRGS and the PRGS, 1893; report on the progress of, and other papers relating to Hints to Travellers by J H Leroy, 1882; samples of printed advertisements in Geographical Journal, 1930; proof and preliminary drawings of diagrams for H R Mill's Record of the RGS; publications account book, 1896-1922; and records of papers received for publication, 1837-1987.

Papers relating to the Royal Geographical Society Map Room, Library and Drawing Office, 1856-1973, including Map Room reports, 1856-1959; Map Room accounts, 1933-1967; Library reports, 1913-1958; memoranda; correspondence; proofs of maps, memorandum on photograph room and lantern slides catalogue, 1913-1914; catalogue of photograph collection, 1869-1920; and papers and correspondence relating to the committee on map storage, 1954.

Papers relating to Royal Geographical Society buildings, 1837-1991, including House Committee papers, 1839, financial papers; inventory of RGS property, 1840; papers relating to repairs; papers and correspondence of the Building Fund, 1911-1930s; papers relating to Trust Funds, 1913-1976 and papers relating to the following properties: Lowther Lodge, 1912-1991, Horticultural Society's rooms, 1839, 213 Piccadilly, 1839, 3 Waterloo Place, 1839, Whitehall Place house, 1854-1857, Burlington Gardens, 1898-1901 and Saville Row/Virgo Street, 1909-1912.

Papers relating to geographical education, 1881-1905, including papers relating to Royal Geographical Society school prizes, 1881-1882; papers relating to prizes for Training College students, 1887-1894; memoranda of schemes for substituting public school prizes and on promoting the study of geography, 1884-1896; reports on the geographic studies of Cambridge and Oxford, 1905.

Papers relating to the foundation, early history, Charter and seal and meetings of the Royal Geographical Society (RGS), 1830-1973, including Prospectus for the establishment of the London Geographical Institution, 4 May 1830; booklet containing printed prospectus, list of members, regulations and note on the Royal Premium of the RGS, 1831; minutes of RGS meetings 24 and 26 May 1830; histories of the RGS; list of RGS members, 1830; report entitled 'The RGS: a report on the state of the Society', 10 Jun 1833; paper by J R Jackson entitled 'Regarding the labours of the RGS, by a member', 1837; Charter of the RGS; drawings and correspondence relating to the RGS's seal, 1859; minutes of the Special General Meeting, 20 Jun 1863; papers relating to anniversary events and conversaziones, 1855-1930; tabular statement on the number of Fellows, 1908-1916; visitor's books, 1831-1973 and press cuttings.

Papers relating to Royal Geographical Society formal addresses and diplomas including photograph of formal address presented by the RGS to Queen Elizabeth II on 25th anniversary of her accession; formal addresses to the RGS from Geographical Societies from around the world on the occasion of the RGS centenary, 1930 and the 150th anniversary, 1980; diplomas awarded to the RGS at the British Empire Expedition, 1924 and document received from the Legislature of California for the Drake celebrations.

Financial papers of the Royal Geographical Society, 1830-1987, including ledgers, 1831-1969; analysis of expenditure, 1867-1869; National Insurance payment's books, 1930-1933; papers relating to life insurance, 1953-1957summaries of audited accounts, receipts, balance sheets, correspondence, memoranda, deeds, cash books, 1830-1935; petty cash books, 1831-1921; bank books and deposit account books, 1831-1925 and report on the inadequacy of annual reviews of the RGS by J R Jackson, 2 Jan 1846.

Royal Geographical Society evening meeting minute books, 1830-1972.

Papers relating to Royal Geographical Society admission of women Fellows, 1892-1913, including report of the Special General Meeting, 1892; printed summary of the correspondence received from the Society; case submitted to Counsel and Counsel's opinion; notes by D W Freshfield; Counsel's opinion obtained in 1912; press cutting, 12 Nov 1912; printed papers, 1912 correspondence, 1910-1913 and photocopies of certificates of women elected in 1892.

Papers relating to the Royal Geographical Society Council, committees and bylaws, 1830-1993, including balloting lists for the Council, 1840-1932; lists of Council and Committee members, 1879-1880; summary notes of Council minutes, 1830-1929; papers relating to revisions of bylaws; papers relating to the African Exploration Committee, 1877-1881; minutes of the Polar committee, 1933-1937; biographical data on Council members, 1869-1906; Staff Association papers, 1975-1991 and papers relating to library committees, [1969-1993].

Royal Geographical Society Council and committee minute books and agendas including Council minute books, 1830-1975; committee minute books, 1841-1990; Council agenda notebooks, 1832-1873 and committee agenda notebooks, 1834-1858.

Papers relating to the Royal Geographical Society awards, [1831]-1894, including draft of subject for Royal Premium, [1831]; notes and sketch of proposed medal; memorandum and minutes of the committee 'to consider of a Royal medal', 1836; report by J R Jackson entitled 'Observations regarding the principle of adjudication of the medals of the RGS', 2 May 1840; Committee report on candidates, 1840; resolutions and notes on the annual award of the Royal Premium, 14 Mar 1853; note on minor awards, 1894; memorandum on medals and awards, 7 May 1856 and list of Trust Funds or funds for special purposes.