The Library of the Royal Geographical Society

From the foundation of the Society in 1830 one of its declared aims was the formation of a comprehensive geographical library. Aclause in thememorandum adopted at the first meeting in May 1830 stated that one object was: accumulate gradually a library of the best books on geography?a complete collection of maps and charts from the earliest period of rude geographical delineation to the most improved of the present time; as well as such documents and materials as may convey the best information to persons intending to visit foreign countries. At that time, the main interest was concentrated on works of travel, and books for the instruction or guidance of travellers. As the Society established relations with foreign geographical societies, a collection of periodicals received in exchange for the Journal was gradually built up, and many reports and papers were presented by the British and foreign governments. This paper traces the growth of the Society's Library; a second will deal with the map collection. The Library made slow progress at first, partly from want of funds, and partly from the lack of a permanent home. In 1837, its condition was described as far from satisfactory. However, some improvement resulted from a grant of ?300, and in 1847 a further grant of a similar sum was made towards binding. Among those who took a special interest in promoting the growth of the Library were G. B. Greenough, first President of the Geological Society, Sir Walter Trevelyan, and Trelawney Saunders. Appeals were also made to Fellows to present volumes. By 1850 the nucleus of a library had been established, with about four thousand volumes and one thousand pamphlets. Two years later, an author catalogue, pre? pared by the Secretary, Dr. Norton Shaw, during the recess was printed and dis? tributed. In the early days, various arrangements were made for the care of the Library. From 1854 to 1857, Trelawney Saunders acted temporarily as Librarian and later as Map Curator. In 1866, Mr. J. H. Lamprey was appointed Librarian, since when there has been a succession of Librarians, with a small library staff. By the fiftieth anniversary of the foundation of the Society in 1880, the Library con? tained rather more than twenty thousand books and pamphlets. The collection was then described by the Librarian as being least rich in old books of importance; as will be seen, much has since been done to remedy this. In addition to regular purchase of books, under the supervision of the Library Committee, established in 1853, the main sources of accessions were presentations by British and foreign government departments and institutions, geographical periodicals received in exchange (in 1849, these numbered sixty-four, and at the present time the exchange list exceeds three hundred), and special donations or bequests of books. Among early collections thus received were the bequests of all their books of geographical interest by G. B. Greenough (1856) and Sir Walter Trevelyan (1879),tne latter also leaving ?500 for their accommodation. The content of the Library obviously reflects the development of geography as a study during the past century and a quarter. To a varying extent within this general framework, it has also been moulded in the past by the special interests

Geography · Regional science · Historical Geography and Geographical Thought

• An Overview of the Royal Geographical Society and Its Activities

  Open Access•Fatma Erkaya Topcu, Cengiz KARTIN•Vakanüvis uluslararası tarih…•2024

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• The Map Room of the Royal Geographical Society

  G R Crone, E E T Day et al.•Geographical Journal•1960

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