The Scottish Oceanographical Laboratory was founded in Nicolson Street, Edinburgh in 1906, by William Speirs Bruce , who had travelled widely in the Antarctic and Arctic regions and had led the Scottish National Antarctic Expedition (SNAE) 1902–04. Bruce had originally studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh , but had transferred his studies to the natural sciences and, through his varied experiences, had established a reputation as a polar scientist. He had also collected a large number of botanical , biological , zoological and geological specimens, together with vast amounts of meteorological and magnetic data. The laboratory, established in Edinburgh at premises in Nicolson Street, provided a place to examine, store or display these materials, an office from which Bruce could work on the SNAE scientific reports, and a base from which further expeditions could be planned.
29-551: It was Bruce's ambition that the laboratory should develop into a Scottish National Oceanographical Institute. A meeting to discuss this possibility was held in May 1914, and the proposal gained significant support from leading Scottish scientists. An organising committee was established, but the matter was shelved on the outbreak of war in August 1914 and was not revived. In 1919 lack of funding, combined with his failing health, forced Bruce to close
58-524: A broad yet intellectual emphasis to its aims, as well as members of the general public, who joined more through interest or knowledge of the new discoveries than from any real interest in their own country. The aims of the Society were diverse, yet exploration was seen as having less emphasis than research and education. The first edition of the Scottish Geographical Magazine stated: – "... it
87-479: A geographical society for Scotland . Bartholomew was assisted by Mrs A. L. Bruce, the daughter of the explorer David Livingstone . She herself was a keen geographer, with a particular interest in Africa. Arthur Silva White , an experienced traveller and travel author, was also sought, and served as the Society's Secretary for the first 8 years. They sought the support of Professor James Geikie , Professor of Geology at
116-613: A printer to Archibald Constable and Company before going to University of Edinburgh to study geology. He served on the Geological Survey from 1862 until 1882, when he succeeded his brother as Murchison professor of geology and mineralogy at the University of Edinburgh. He took as his special subject of investigation the origin of surface-features, and the part played in their formation by glacial action . His views are embodied in his chief work, The Great Ice Age and its Relation to
145-464: A quarterly magazine, an annual programme of Inspiring People talks, a research journal, and a range of other publications. From its base in Perth, the society also operates a volunteer-led visitor centre, hosts an array of international exhibitions each year, and curates an archive dating back to its roots in 1884. In addition, by working with partners around Scotland and further afield, the society encourages
174-510: A record-breaking Scottish explorer who established the Polar Academy in 2013, a charity which takes young adults to polar regions in order to improve their confidence. More recently, husband and wife team Luke and Hazel Robertson were the second recipients of the title. As part of their work with the RSGS, the pair travelled to Alaska in 2017 in an attempt to be the first to trek south to north across
203-943: A volume of Songs and Lyrics by H. Heine and other German Poets, done into English Verse . From 1888 he was honorary editor of the Scottish Geographical Magazine . In 1889, he was awarded the Murchison Medal of the Geological Society of London . In 1910 he was awarded the Gold Medal of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society . In 1904 he was elected president of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society and held this role until 1910. In later life he lived at "Kilmorie", 83 Colinton Road in south-west Edinburgh , it then being
232-532: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Royal Scottish Geographical Society The Royal Scottish Geographical Society ( RSGS ) is an educational charity based in Perth, Scotland , founded in 1884. The purpose of the society is to advance the subject of geography worldwide, inspire people to learn more about the world around them, and provide a source of reliable and impartial geographical information. The RSGS delivers these core aims by producing
261-598: Is therefore one of the first objectives of the Scottish Geographical Society to advance the study of geography in Scotland: to impress the public with the necessity and inestimable value of a thorough knowledge of geography in a commercial, scientific or political education." The SGS concentrated on education and research, against a backdrop interest in exploration and discovery, and the gathering together and dissemination of information from such activities. The SGS
290-693: The Dalai Lama , among others, have written for their magazine. Since 2009, the society has been housed within Lord John Murray House in Perth; the society's visitor centre is next door in the Fair Maid's House, the oldest secular building in the city. The society was formerly based in the University of Strathclyde from 1994 to 2008, and before that at 10 Randolph Crescent in Edinburgh . The originator of
319-529: The Scottish Screen Archive in Glasgow . The Society's collections are managed by an enthusiastic team of volunteers and can be viewed by members by appointment. The RSGS began a programme of residency in 2014, bringing on board specialists to help deliver its charitable aims and specific geographic output. The positions are all voluntary. The first Explorer-in-Residence was awarded to Craig Mathieson ,
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#1732844690005348-516: The University of Edinburgh . Geikie had a keen interest in the advancement in geographical research and teaching, willingly giving his support to the project, and in December 1884 The Scottish Geographical Society (S.G.S.) was established. Recruiting members from many of Edinburgh's most prominent men and women, the Society managed to establish support from influential quarters. The S.G.S. encouraged members from scientific and academic backgrounds, providing
377-587: The Antiquity of Man (1874; 3rd ed., 1894). In 1871 he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh . His proposer was his brother, Archibald Geikie . He served twice as vice-president (1892–97 and 1900–05) and once as president (1913–15). He was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1875, his candidacy citation reading Author of "The Great Ice Age and its relation to the Antiquity of Man" "On
406-904: The Changes of Climate during the Glacial Epoch" "On the Glacial Phenomena of the Outer Hebrides" (Quart Journ Geol Soc) and of various papers on Palaeozoic, Glacial and Post-Tertiary Geology in the Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh; the Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London; the Transactions of the North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers; the Journal of
435-747: The Iron and Steel Institute; the Transactions of the Glasgow Geological Society; and the Geological Magazine; District Surveyor on the Geological Survey in Scotland for years, during which time he has surveyed, and drawn many sections through, large areas in the Central and Southern districts of Scotland which he has described in the published "Explanations" issued by the Geological Survey. In 1876, he
464-587: The RSGS's own archive. There is a particularly important collection of early maps of Scotland with the earliest item dating from 1573. While many items are held in the RSGS headquarters in Perth, the majority of books are managed by the Andersonian Library at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. Films, including unique footage of the Scottish Antarctic Expedition from 1904, are lodged with
493-456: The Society in 2018. Honorary Fellowship, first awarded in 1888, is awarded in recognition of services to the Society and to the wider discipline of geography. Honorary Fellows may use the post-nominal designation FRSGS after their names. The Society awards a number of medals for outstanding contributions to geography and exploration. Past Awards James Geikie James Murdoch Geikie PRSE FRS LLD (23 August 1839 – 1 March 1915)
522-453: The country. Unfortunately, the trip ended abruptly just short of the finish line as climate change induced melting of permafrost halted their progress onward. The first Writer-in-Residence was held by poet and author Hazel Buchan Cameron. During her tenure, she worked with young writers to produce creative writing pieces inspired by the RSGS collections. This culminated in an exhibition at Perth Museum in late 2014. The second recipient of
551-464: The establishment of Scotland's first professorship in Geography , at the University of Edinburgh . Membership of RSGS is open to all, regardless of geographical location. Member benefits include: The Society holds extensive collections of historical and contemporary maps, atlases, books, journals, photographs, film, drawings, paintings, scientific instruments, personal papers, and artefacts, relating to
580-687: The hypothesis of five inter-Glacial periods in Great Britain, and argued that the palaeolithic deposits of the Pleistocene period were not post- but inter- or pre-Glacial. His Fragments of Earth Lore: Sketches and Addresses, Geological and Geographical (1893) and Earth Sculpture (1898) are mainly concerned with the same subject. His Outlines of Geology (1886), a standard textbook of its subject, reached its third edition in 1896; and in 1905 he published an important manual on structural and field geology. In 1887 he displayed another side of his activity in
609-650: The idea for a national society of geography in Scotland was John George Bartholomew , of the Bartholomew family and map-making company in Edinburgh . Bartholomew felt that there was a low quality of map craftsmanship within Britain and a lack of geographical societies as compared with the rest of Europe, and set out to investigate the situation in other countries, particularly in Germany. As a result of this he began work in establishing
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#1732844690005638-542: The laboratory, donating the various specimens, books and other materials to the University of Edinburgh, the Royal Scottish Geographical Society and the Royal Scottish Museum . His illness ended with his death in 1921. This article about an organisation in Scotland is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This article about a scientific organization is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This Scottish history -related article
667-486: The seeds of a more balanced and scientific approach to geography would emerge. Yet, within a year of its foundation, the Scottish Geographical Society had established branches in Dundee , Aberdeen and Glasgow to cater for the strong local interest and active participation in its work. Chief amongst the RSGS's early achievements were its support for the quietly successful Scottish National Antarctic Expedition (1902–04), and
696-532: The teaching of geography in the curriculum, produces classroom resources for teachers, and facilitates thinking on issues such as climate change, city development and transport infrastructure, amongst many others. Between 1904 and 1905, Sir Ernest Shackleton worked as the secretary of the society before resuming his career as an Antarctic explorer. Sir Edmund Hillary , Neil Armstrong , Sir Ranulph Fiennes , Dame Freya Stark , Sir David Attenborough and Karen Darke have all received RSGS medals. James Cameron and
725-415: The title was Jo Woolf who has brought the stories from RSGS history to life, most notably through the publication of her debut book, The Great Horizon . Published by Sandstone Press in 2017, this book features 50 inspiring stories from some of the most remarkable explorers, scientists and visionaries who have ever lived, all of whom have a connection to the Society. Woolf was awarded an Honorary Fellowship of
754-403: The whole world, but especially to Scotland and the many areas of the world explored and settled by Scots. Items in the collection form a valuable part of Scotland's heritage, often providing the only record of people, places, and events, including unique items such as photographs of early polar exploration, photographs by and of eminent explorers and mountaineers, expedition reports and diaries, and
783-461: Was a Scottish geologist. He was professor of geology at Edinburgh University from 1882 to 1914. He was born in Edinburgh , the son of James Stuart Geikie and Isabella Thom, and younger brother of Sir Archibald Geikie . His father was a wig-maker and perfumer in Edinburgh operating from 35 North Bridge. James was educated at the Royal High School , Edinburgh and initially apprenticed as
812-542: Was elected as a member to the American Philosophical Society . From 1861 he lived at 16 Duncan Street in Edinburgh. In 1882 he moved to London, returning to Edinburgh only in later life. Geikie became the leader of the school that upholds the all-important action of land-ice, as against those geologists who assign chief importance to the work of pack ice and icebergs . Continuing this line of investigation in his Prehistoric Europe (1881), he maintained
841-423: Was founded at that point in the nineteenth century when the scientific climate prevailing in Scotland, and in particular Edinburgh, influenced the direction of the Society's goals and activities. With many academics as members, education and research were important issues to the Society. At that time Edinburgh was the focus of geography within Scotland, with an active and lively scientific community from within which
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