Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1830-1997 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
224 boxes + unaccessioned material
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
The Royal Geographical Society (RGS) was founded in 1830 as the Royal Geographical Society of London. Its aim was the advancement of Geographical Science. The Society was granted a Royal Charter by Queen Victoria in 1859. In 1995 the RGS merged with the Institute of British Geographers (IBG) to create the Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers). Since 1831 the Society has published a Journal, initially containing the principal papers read at the Society's evening meetings and abstracts of Geographical works published elsewhere, it is now a refereed academic publication. The journal has appeared under various titles: Journal of the RGS (JRGS) 1831-1880; Proceedings of the RGS (PRGS) 1857-1878; Proceedings of the RGS (New Series) (PRGS (NS)) 1879-1892; Supplementary Papers (1882-1893); and the Geographical Journal (GJ) 1893 onwards. At first edited by the Secretary of the Society, the preparation and editing of these journals is currently carried out by the Geographical Journal Office.
Repository
Archival history
In most cases the items were sent to the RGS directly by their authors and have remained with the Society ever since.
GB 0402 JMS 1830-1997 Collection (fonds) 224 boxes + unaccessioned material Various
The Royal Geographical Society (RGS) was founded in 1830 as the Royal Geographical Society of London. Its aim was the advancement of Geographical Science. The Society was granted a Royal Charter by Queen Victoria in 1859. In 1995 the RGS merged with the Institute of British Geographers (IBG) to create the Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers). Since 1831 the Society has published a Journal, initially containing the principal papers read at the Society's evening meetings and abstracts of Geographical works published elsewhere, it is now a refereed academic publication. The journal has appeared under various titles: Journal of the RGS (JRGS) 1831-1880; Proceedings of the RGS (PRGS) 1857-1878; Proceedings of the RGS (New Series) (PRGS (NS)) 1879-1892; Supplementary Papers (1882-1893); and the Geographical Journal (GJ) 1893 onwards. At first edited by the Secretary of the Society, the preparation and editing of these journals is currently carried out by the Geographical Journal Office.
In most cases the items were sent to the RGS directly by their authors and have remained with the Society ever since.
From the editor, or the Geographical Journal Office.
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.
Some 1940's and most post-1950 articles sent to the GJ are awaiting accessioning, weeding and cataloguing.
Accruals from Geographical Journal Office expected on an occasional basis.
Arranged in 21 series by Geographical region, country, or subject. Within each series files are arranged by date then alphabetically by author. There is also one bound volume from 1836 which contains most of the ms. published in Vol.6 of the JRGS.
Accessed via the Foyle Reading Room. Free of charge for Fellows, Members and those with valid academic identification. All other users pay a charge and must bring identification in order to register on arrival.
Photocopying at Archivist's discretion, and subject to completion of 'application for copies' form. No reproduction or publication without permission of the RGS-IBG Archivist. Please note that in more recent cases copyright of the author may need to be sought.
English
Earlier Mss are handwritten later ones are usually typescript. Some items are fragile.
The RGS archives: a handlist / compiled by Christine Kelly. London: RGS, 1977. Detailed catalogue available in the reading room and online on A2A.
Some items have been microfilmed, others photocopied.
Since 1995 the Society has also published Area & Transactions of the IBG, manuscripts from these journals are held in a separate sequence.
Many of these articles were published, either in full or in part, in the Society's Journals.
Prepared by Huw Thomas, Archives Assistant using existing records and *The record of the RGS 1830-1930 / by H. R. Mill. London: RGS, 1930. Revised by Sarah Drewery. ISAD(G) ed.2 2nd June 2000; Nov 2008. Associations Editing Geographers Geographical exploration Geography Learned societies Organizations Periodicals Publications Publishing Publishing industry Royal Geographical Society Scientific personnel Scientists Communications media Information sciences Personnel People by occupation People
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
From the editor, or the Geographical Journal Office.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
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.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Some 1940's and most post-1950 articles sent to the GJ are awaiting accessioning, weeding and cataloguing.
Accruals
Accruals from Geographical Journal Office expected on an occasional basis.
System of arrangement
Arranged in 21 series by Geographical region, country, or subject. Within each series files are arranged by date then alphabetically by author. There is also one bound volume from 1836 which contains most of the ms. published in Vol.6 of the JRGS.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Accessed via the Foyle Reading Room. Free of charge for Fellows, Members and those with valid academic identification. All other users pay a charge and must bring identification in order to register on arrival.
Conditions governing reproduction
Photocopying at Archivist's discretion, and subject to completion of 'application for copies' form. No reproduction or publication without permission of the RGS-IBG Archivist. Please note that in more recent cases copyright of the author may need to be sought.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
- Latin
Language and script notes
English
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Since 1995 the Society has also published Area & Transactions of the IBG, manuscripts from these journals are held in a separate sequence.
Finding aids
The RGS archives: a handlist / compiled by Christine Kelly. London: RGS, 1977. Detailed catalogue available in the reading room and online on A2A.
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Some items have been microfilmed, others photocopied.
Related units of description
Publication note
Notes area
Note
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
- Organizations » Associations
- Publishing industry » Publishing » Editing
- Scientific personnel » Scientists » Geographers
- Geography » Geographical exploration
- Geography
- Organizations » Associations » Learned societies
- Organizations
- Periodicals
- Publishing industry » Publishing
- Publishing industry
- Scientific personnel
- Scientific personnel » Scientists
- Information sciences
- Personnel
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
ISAD(G) ed.2
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Language(s)
- English