Papers of Sir George Nares including notes concerning the voyage of HMS ALERT and HMS DISCOVERY, 1875-1876; copy of instructions for survey in the ALERT, 1878 and list of dangers requiring examination; autographed menu for a dinner given to welcome home members of the ALERT and DISCOVERY expedition, 6 Dec 1876; note made in preparation for an obituary of Nares; song sheet of 'Away to the North: a song for the Arctic expedition of 1875' by M Mackay.

Fifteen watercolours of Turkistan (Ladakh, Kashgar and Yarkand) by George Hayward some with descriptive text on backs; two sketch plans of Kashgar and Yarkand forts and photograph of the grave of Hayward.

Papers of George Wood-Johnson comprising letters, newscuttings, photographs and transcript of part of a diary relating to expeditions in the Himalayas including the Sikkim expedition, 1928; the Kanghenjunga expedition, 1930 and the Everest expedition, 1933.

Papers of Herbert Arthur Richards including copy of a letter to a friend, 1929, describing hie travels and experiences in Mesopotamia, 1889-1906; photographs of people and places in Persia with notes on Persia, 1889-1896 including typed report on the road Ahwaz to Ispahan, Apr 1896, map of journeys and notes on Ispahan to the Caspian Sea; photographs on a journey from Tehran to Bushire, 1904 and family and personal photographs.

Papers of Sir Harry Johnston including diary of an expedition, Rio del Ray, Cameroon, 1887, with four printed maps of the region attached; sketch and notebook, Nyasaland, 1893; sketch book, North Africa and photocopied correspondence of Johnston with members of his family, 1866-1926 and copies of six portrait photographs of Johnston.

Papers of H Hayes Perkins, 1904-1957, including an account of some of Perkins' periods of residence and travel in the Belgian Congo, South and East Africa entitled 'The African experiences of H Hayes Perkins, 1906-53'; three volumes of personal journals in North and South America, entitled 'Here and there', 1904-1936; typescript entitled 'Alaska and the Yukon, 50 years ago', 1956; pages from Perkins' diary entitled 'The diamond fields of Kasai', 1918-1920 and typescript of Perkins' last journeys across the Sahara, 1952 and South America, 1957.

Papers of Harry Lewin Lee Pennell relating to his work as commander of the TERRA NOVA for Robert Falcon Scott's British Antarctic Expedition, 1910-1913, including sailing orders, 1911 and letters of proceedings, Jan-Mar, 1911; correspondence with members of the TERRA NOVA expedition while in Antarctica, 1910-1913; photocopy of a letter from the committee of the expedition to J J Kinsey; zoological log kept by Pennell, London to Melbourne, Jun-Oct 1910; annotated admiralty charts of the South Polar and Antarctica VIII, 1910 and photographs of Pennell, [1910-1916].

Papers relating to Herbert Ward, 1881-1996, including a bound book of newscuttings relating to Emin Pasha (and some Arctic items) and a video of Sir Colville Barclay speaking about his grandfather, Herbert Ward, filmed 1996.

Correspondence, newspaper cuttings and papers of Sir Henry Morton Stanley, 1871-1936, including papers relating to Stanley in the period prior to his return from Africa, 1884; correspondence of Stanley and Lady Stanley with correspondents including the Royal Geographical Society, 1878-1909, Henry Wellcome, 1885-1909; Mr and Mrs French Sheldon, 1884-1891 and Herbert Ward, 1889-1895; papers relating to the Emin Pasha Relief expedition; personal papers; papers relating to the American Testimonial Banquet, 1890, including committee minutes, correspondence and printed material; press cuttings, 1885-1933; papers relating to a Livingstone Memorial, 1894-1901 and papers relating to the death, funeral and biographies of Stanley.

Papers of Maj Henry Hugh Peter Deasy, including astronomical observations, Lucknow, 1896-1897; route book Baltit to Sinkiang, 1897-1898; meteorological notebook, Sinkiang, 1897-1899 and meteorological notebook with entries by Arnold Pike, Deasy's companion, on journey from Leh to Lanak La, 1896.

Papers of Henry Rudolph Davies, 1887-1899, comprise five diaries covering travels in Western China, 1887-1899 and work of the Siam Boundary Commission (1892-1894); letters describing boundary commission, 1894, Journal of expedition with the Chinese Deputies 17 November 1893 to 26 January 1894; Journal of expedition along Chinese frontier and in the Kachen Hills 11 Feb 1894 to 22 March 1894; 'Journal of [...] expedition to Myitkyina... and to Chinese frontier', 7 April 1894 to 2 May 1894; papers concerning his marriage in Burma including two copies of marriage certificate, baptismal certificate of his daughter; a lawyer's letter about his marriage and a framed Chinese passport.

Papers of Hugh Robert Mill including manuscript and printed papers relating to Antarctic whaling expeditions; collection of approximately 200 letters to Mill from officers of the Royal Geographical Society chiefly concerning the affairs of the RGS, 1847-1944; collection of approximately 800 letters to Mill from geographers, travellers cartographers and others, 1833-1944; 'Daily Doings', two volumes, 1861-1919 and 1920-1945, which briefly record the events of each day, contain lists of Mill's published works and the appointments he held, and are indexed by personal and place names.

Papers of Harry St John Bridger Philby, 1918-1955, including notebooks, journals, observations, letters and annotated typescript of Arabian Highlands. The journal and notebooks cover his journey across the Empty Quarter (Al Rub al Khali) in 1932. Typewritten reports cover his motorised journeys around Saudi Arabia from 1946-1955. His observations formed the basis for maps of Arabia prepared and published by the Royal Geographical Society.

Journal of Henry Wemyss Feildon entitled 'Journal of a voyage to Smith Sound in the years 1875-76 on board HMS ALERT by HWF naturalist to the expedition'; sketches, engravings, notes and press cuttings enclosed.

Papers of Maj Harold William Tilman, 1919-1979, including logs, notebooks, journals, photographs, slides and correspondence relating to his travels by boat, and material relating to his wartime service.

Papers of James Alfred Steers, 1928-1970, including diary of voyage to Australia and Great Barrier Reef Expedition, 14 Jun 1928-11 Jan 1929; reports prepared for the Ministry of Town and Country Planning on coasts of England, Scotland and Wales, 1943-1949; report and recommendations by Steers on the conservation of coasts in certain countries of Europe, 1969 and 'Protection of coastal areas', a paper by Steers prepared for the European Committee for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, May, 1970.

Observations by James Baillie Fraser, 1820-1821, including astronomical observations on a journey from Bushire to Tehran, 1821 and observations for latitude time and longitude from Lucknow to Bombay, 1820-1821.

Papers of Sir James Clark Ross, 1819-1875, including log as sub-lieutenant on HMS HECLA, on W E Parry's first expedition on search of the North-West Passage, 1819-1920; letter, letter-draft and memorandum, 1838, containing proposals for an expedition in search of the North-West Passage; letter from Ross on the HMS EREBUS to the Royal Geographical Society reporting on his Antarctic voyage, 1842; and copy, made by Allen Young in 1875, of a message left by Ross at Cape Coulman, 7 Jun 1849.

Volume of list of subscribers to the Jackson Harmsworth Expedition and copy of a letter addressed to R Koettlitz, doctor of the expedition, from Dr A E Wright on the threatment of scurvy, 4 Jul 1894.

Copy, by a later hand, of journal of Capt Sir John Hawley Glover in letter form from SS DAYSPRING (second Niger expedition of W B Baikie), 8 May 1857-27 Jan 1858.

Papers of John Hanning Speke including observation files, 'Explorations in Eastern Africa', 1859; copies of letters from the East African expedition to Philip Lutley Sclater and Sir William Hooker, Sep 1860, and to the Royal Geographical Society (RGS), 1 Oct 1860; observations and computations, Lake region and upper Nile, 1861-1863; 44 letters to the RGS, 1857-1864, from East Africa with some information on his second expedition with Richard Francis Burton, and from Wiltshire concerning his relations with Burton and the preparations for his proposed expedition with James Augustus Grant to the source of the Nile, and from East Africa reporting on the progress of that expedition; letter to Col Rigby from Khoko, 12 Dec 1860; letter to King Rumanika of Karagwé, Mar 1862; two letters from John Petherick, 24 Feb and 15 Apr 1863 concerning the aid he expected to receive from Petherick; coloured plates of birds noted in Africa by Wilhelm Ruppell and others with original watercolour sketches by Speke and Grant on blank verso pages, Speke's signature on the inside front cover is followed by a page of notes on the use of watercolours and a sketch of King M'tesa of Uganda; reprint from the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, Vol 24, 'Report on a zoological collection from the Somali country by Edward Blyth, with additions and corrections by the collector' [Speke], edited by P L Sclater, London, 1860; letter, unfinished, to Mr. Tinne, from Neston Park, 1864; sketch maps of Lake Tanganyika and of Speke's route in 1857, (11 sheets, sheet 8 has a letter from Speke to the RGS from Unyanyembe, 20 Nov 1857, written on the back); volume entitled 'Extracts', containing a collection of press cuttings relating to the discovery of the source of the Nile by Speke and Grant and to Speke's death, 1863-1864 and volume entitled 'Record', containing extracts prepared by the Royal College of Arms for the Speke family.

Papers of John Matthews, 1847-1855, including journal as gunner's mate on board HMS PLOVER, 13 Sep 1850 to 18 Apr 1855, chiefly off northern Alaska coast, in support of Franklin search expeditions; photograph, presumably of Matthews, and copy of letter from Matthews to his sister, 10 Nov 1847.

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.

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.

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.

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 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 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 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 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 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.

Correspondence of John Palliser comprising letter to Dr Norton Shaw, 1856; letter to Charles Vaux, 1857; letter to W S W Vaux, 1863; copy of a letter to Charles Vaux, 1857; printed copy of a letter to his father, 17 Jul 1857; correspondence on Palliser including from Purser, Fairholme and Paterson; two photographs and Passes of the Rocky Mountains by J N Wallace, (1927).

Collection of news cuttings from American and English newspapers on African subjects, especially the Emin Pasha Expedition, made by Mrs Rose-Troup, 1889-1896.

Papers of Joseph S Kellet Smith, 1895, concerning explorations in the country west of Lake Nyasa including diary, Jun-Sep, 1895; five unpublished short stories, 'The revolution of Benjamin-wad-Wiri', 'The Lake Trader', 'The sacrificial altar of the Sandili', 'The Brimming cup' and 'The thraldom of Stephen Clinch'; loose pages, untitled, beginning, 'A man's enjoyment of golf...'; fifteen chapters of an unpublished book based on events of the 1895 expedition with 38 photographic prints prepared as illustrations including of river Shire, Hora camp, tribesmen and river steamers.

Papers of John Thomas Baines including manuscript descriptions of four lithographs of South Africa; photocopies of two letters to Thornton, one dated 1859; typed list of 288 paintings owned by the RGS; catalogue and booklet of exhibitions of 1975; topographical notes of journey west from Zambesi and diary, May 1869-April 1870, missing since 1968.

Papers of Joseph Thompson, 1878-1901, comprising four observations files, 1879-1888, including: computations of observations made in Morocco, 1883-1884 and 1888; positions, altitudes and temperatures, Tanganyika 1879; barometric observations, Morocco, 1888; barometric and hypsometric observations, Kenya, 1883-1884; computations of observations made in Kenya, 1883-1884; journals: of East Africa, 1881-1893; North Africa, 1889 and the Nile, 1879; correspondence, 1878-1901, (Correspondence Blocks 1871-1880, 1881-1910 and 1911-1920) including 17 letters 1878-1880; printed copies of letters Mar and Nov 1882 and Feb 1883; letters from Taveta 4 Apr 1883 and from Mombasa 5 Jun [1883] on his journey to Kilimanjaro and retreat from Ngara; 8 letters, Dec 1882, from the Foreign Office to Royal Geographical Society (RGS); 21 letters from Thomson 1882-1886 and 1892; 11 telegrams with typescript copies, 1883-1886; statement of financial accounts, John Kirk (Consul General, Zanzibar) in account with RGS for Thomson's expedition; 4p. proofs of 'Hints to Travellers' with corrections by Thomson; nine letters from J H Thomson (nephew) ,1901; three letters from J B Thomson (brother), 1895-1896; letters on a portrait of Thomson; letters to J Scott Keltie and letter to Gilmour (Keltie's son-in-law) nd.

Papers of Sir Keith Alexander Jackson including diary in Persia, 1828-1829, including notes on a voyage down the Tigris and Euphrates to Bossora; private journal, 1838, of the storming of Ghuznee; journal on a voyage from Bombay to England, 1841 and rough note- and letter-book, 1842-1843.

Papers of Sir Kenneth Mason on the Himalayas including copy of his journal on the Shaksgam expedition, 1926; copy of letter from Mason to F V Thompson, Mussoorie about a stereo plotter used in India, 3 May 1914; correspondence, 1927-1940 on the Karakoram map; calculation of rectangular co-ordinates for Shaksgam stereographic survey by A R Hinks and cuttings from the Geographical Journal relating to the Himalayas, 1927-1935.

Papers of Louis Lucas, 1876, including aneroid observations for altitude of Khartoum, 1876 enclosing a report by J A Grant and a further report by R Strachan; five leatherbound notebooks containing botanical notes, topographical notes and lists of stores and instruments.