Royal Geographical Society

The Royal Geographical Society stands in a quiet corner of Kensington Gore, its Lowther Lodge built in 1874 by the architect Norman Shaw. The society was founded in 1830 by seven members including Sir John Barrow and Sir Roderick Murchison to advance geographical science. In 1913 it moved from cramped premises in Savile Row to this larger home, purchased for £100,000. The building’s east wing, added in 1929, holds a 750-seat lecture theatre and a New Map Room. The society’s historical collections, gathered from explorers like Livingstone and Scott, were opened to the public in 2004. A glass Pavilion exhibition space and the Foyle Reading Room were added the same year. The Duke of York opened the extension during the society’s centenary celebrations. The society has supported key expeditions and figures in British exploration and geography. It published its first journal in 1831 and later The Geographical Journal, still issued today. In 1995 it merged with the Institute of British Geographers, formed in 1933 by thirteen geographers including Hilda Ormsby. The council, chaired by the president, governs the society with 36 members and five specialist committees. Honorary members include the Duke of Kent, who serves as honorary president. The society also works with bodies such as the Geographical Association and the Royal Scottish Geographical Society. Visitors find a stately building with elegant interiors and modern exhibition spaces. The Foyle Reading Room offers access to historical maps, charts and expedition records. The glass Pavilion hosts temporary exhibitions, such as photographs from Captain Scott’s 1912 South Pole expedition. The lecture theatre and New Map Room remain in use for talks and research. The society’s council chambers and meeting rooms reflect its long tradition of governance. Outside, the quiet streets of Kensington Gore provide a fitting setting for a learned society.