Venice’s “Cosmographic Academy of the Argonauts,” later renamed the “Aeronautical Society” was founded in 1688 and can be considered the prototype of present-day geographical societies.
In 1731 a geographical society was founded in Nürnberg for commercial purposes and mainly was involved in research of the African continent. Later, many other geographical societies emerged throughout the world.
In 1774 French Geographer Jean Nicolas Bauche was the first to suggest that geographical societies can go far beyond commercial purposes.
On July 19, 1821, scientists, who supported Bauches’ idea, joined together to discuss the plan of starting a geographical society. On December 15, 1821, in the Mayor’s office in Paris, the first geographical society was established.
Because of its emergence as the first of its kind, the French Geographical Society holds a special status among geographical societies of the world. Therefore, its President is always the first to speak at international geographical societies’ gatherings.
217 most prominent scientists of the time participated in establishing the French Geographical Society; among those were Jean-François Champollion, Jules Dumont d’Urville, Pierre-Simon Laplace, and others. Among other members of the Society there were Jean-Martin Charcot, Anatole France, the Grand Duke of Monaco Albert, and Jules Verne.
The French Geographical Society was established not only because of scientific interest. It was founded at the time when Europe exercised a great interest in other parts of the world, mainly, for the purpose of colonial exploration.
|
Champollion |
Dumont d’Urville |
Laplace |
The French model of the geographical society was adopted as a prototype for establishing geographical societies in Europe and beyond.
In 1828 a geographical society was established in Berlin. It was founded by some of the most distinguished geographers of their era, including Karl Ritter and Alexander von Humboldt, who are considered the fathers of the contemporary scientific geography.
In 1830 the Geographical Society of London was established. Founding members of the Society included Sir John Barrow, Sir John Franklin and Francis Beaufort. Under the patronage of King William IV it later became The Royal Geographical Society.
The Royal Geographical Society later included the Raleigh Club, the African Association, and the Palestine Association.
The Royal Geographical Society provided substantial support and assistance to many prominent researchers and explorers including Charles Darwin, David Livingstone, Henry Morton Stanley, Robert Falcon Scott, Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton, John Hunt and Sir Edmund Hillary.
|
Livingstone |
Darwin |
Shackleton |
In 1859 the Royal Geographical Society was granted its Royal Charter under Queen Victoria.
In the middle of the 19th century and up to the year of 1916 expeditions sponsored by the Royal Geographical Society enjoyed extensive coverage through newspapers. The Society’ President’s opinions were well respected among the public.
The Royal Geographical Society was originally established for the purpose of advancing geographical research, however, during the first several years its activity was mostly associated with colonial expansion into Africa, South-East Asia, the Polar Regions and focused particularly on Central Asia.
In 1843 in Saint Petersburg, at the initiative of an eminent statistician and ethnographer Petr Köppen, a group developed, where noble men would get together to discuss statistical and geographical issues related to the territory of Russia. Among the participants of these groups were Karl M. Baer, a prominent naturalist and explorer, and Admiral Fyodor Petrovich Litke. This scientific circle became the predecessor to the Russian Geographical Society.
|
Baer |
Köppen |
Litke |
On August 19, 1845 the Russian Emperor Nikolas I established the Russian Geographical Society.
The Russian Geographical Society’s Charter as endorsed by Nikolas I states the following goals and objectives:
“Collect, process, and disseminate in Russia geographical, ethnographic and statistical information in general and about Russia in particular, also spread reliable knowledge about Russia in other countries.”
Even though the Russian Geographical Society was called “Imperial” its doors were open to not just the Russian elite, but to everyone who considered themselves patriots of Russia. The Russian Geographical Society’s members were distinguished and dedicated scientists, who served their country by devoting their energy, knowledge and skill.
Starting in 1817 the number of geographical societies around the world increased quickly due to development of colonial activity.
Towards the end of the 19th Century the Royal Geographical Society of London, Geographical Society of Paris, Berlin Geographical Society and the Imperial Russian Geographical Society had the most weight in the world’s geographic science community. The Royal Geographical Society of London was the most affluent, followed by the Imperial Russian Geographical Society.
The Imperial Russian Geographical Society’s scope of activities was drastically different at that time from those of the three European geographical societies. The European societies served as centers where geographical data from colonies was collected and discussed by their members. Ideas for conducting research were scarce and mostly came either from the same science-minded researchers or from other organizations. The Royal Geographical Society of London possessed manuscripts describing travel to almost every country in the world. The Paris Society was particularly interested in Africa and South America. The Berlin Society also had strong interest in Africa. At the same time, the priorities of the Imperial Russian Geographical Society were always “to explore our land and its people.”
Geographical societies of different countries have always attempted to collaborate. Slowly but surely, collaboration in the areas of geography obtained an international status.
In 1871 the first Geographical Congress took place in Antverpen. In 1922 the International Geographical Union wad founded. Most of the countries in the Union are represented by their national geographical societies.
