The first volumes of this journal are open access on JSTOR. It ran until 1880, when its name was changed.
1831 saw the publication of Volume 1
It starts with a list of key members, Council members and around 500 other members.
This outlines the background to the formation of the RGS, at a meeting of the Raleigh Club in May 1830.
"Although there is a vast store of geographical information, existing in Great Britain, yet it is so scattered and dispersed, either in large books that are not generalls accessible, or in the bureaus of the public departments, or in the possession of private individuals as to be nearly unavailable to the public.The objects, then, of such a Society as is now suggested would be:
1. To collect, register, and digest, and to print for the use of the Members, and the public at large, in a cheap form and at certain intervals, such new, interesting, and useful facts and discoveries as the Society may have in its possession, and may, from time to time, acquire.
2. To accumulate gradually a library of the best books on Geography a seleetion of the best Voyages and Travels a complete collection of Maps and Charts, fiom the earliest period of rude geographical delineations to the most improved of the present time; as well as all such documents and materials as may convey the best information to persons intending to visit foreign countries; it being of the greatest utility to a traveller to be aware, previous]y to his setting out, of what has been already done, and what is still wanting, in the countriess he may intend to visit.
3. To procure specimens of such instruments as experience has shown to be most useful, and best adayted to the compendious stock of a traveller, by consulting which, he may make himself familiar with their use
4. To prepare brief instructions for such as are setting out on their travels; pointing out the parts most desirable to be visited; the best and most practicable means of proceeding hither; the researches most essential to make; phenomena to be observed; the subjects of natural history most desirable to be procured; and to obtain all such information as may tend to the extension of our geographical knowledge.
And it is hoped that the Society may ultimately be enabled, from its funds, to render pecuniary assistance to such travellers as may require it, in order to facilitate the attainment of some particular object of research.
5. To correspond with similar societies that may be established in different parts of the world; with foreign individuals engaged in geographical pursuits, and with the most intelligent British residents in the various remote settlements of the Empire.
6. To open a communication with all those philosophical and literary societies with which Geography is connected; for as all are fellow-labourers in the different department of the same vineyard, their united efforts cannot fail mutually to assist each other.
5. To correspond with similar societies that may be established in different parts of the world; with foreign individuals engaged in geographical pursuits, and with the most intelligent British residents in the various remote settlements of the Empire.
6. To open a communication with all those philosophical and literary societies with which Geography is connected; for as all are fellow-labourers in the different department of the same vineyard, their united efforts cannot fail mutually to assist each other.
Comments
Post a Comment