18 September 2015
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Geographer Royal for Scotland title awarded for first time in over a century
The title Geographer Royal for Scotland has been awarded for the first time in 118 years, during a ceremony at the headquarters of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society. ...
Geographer Royal for Scotland title awarded for first time in over a century Images
The title Geographer Royal for Scotland has been awarded for the first time in 118 years, during a ceremony at the headquarters of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society (RSGS). For all the latest news from Scotland's history, heritage and archaeology communities, read History Scotland magazine.
The Princess Royal this week visited the RSGS headquarters in Perth to present the title to Professor Charles Withers, and to award the Mungo Park Medal to Lindsey Hilsum.
A HISTORY OF THE GEORGRAPHER ROYAL
The first Geographer Royal for Scotland, Sir Robert Sibbald, was appointed in 1682 by King Charles II, almost 333 years ago to the day. Sibbald was one of the leading intellectuals of his day. He was the first Professor of Medicine at University of Edinburgh, co-founder of the Royal College of Physicians Edinburgh and of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
Traditionally the role was for cartographic and geographic advice. There have been four individuals who have previously held the title of Geographer Royal For Scotland, the last being George Harvey Johnston, a leading Edinburgh cartographer and publisher who was Geographer Royal for Scotland to Queen Victoria from 1897.
After Johnston, the related title of Cartographer to The King was bestowed as a corporate warrant to the Bartholomew map making firm also from Edinburgh in the period when John George Bartholomew co-founder of RSGS was at the helm. Professor Withers is therefore only the fifth personal honorific.
A DAY FOR CELEBRATION
Speaking about the role, The Princess Royal said: 'There is no doubt that raising the profile of Geography generally is a very important aspect of what we want to do and what you want to do here… we are grateful that Professor Withers has accepted this title and we hope that it will increase the enthusiasm for and understanding of Geography. We can celebrate today the title of Geographer Royal for Scotland being reinstated.'
For more on the work of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society, visit their website.
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(Image copyright RSGS)
The Princess Royal this week visited the RSGS headquarters in Perth to present the title to Professor Charles Withers, and to award the Mungo Park Medal to Lindsey Hilsum.
A HISTORY OF THE GEORGRAPHER ROYAL
The first Geographer Royal for Scotland, Sir Robert Sibbald, was appointed in 1682 by King Charles II, almost 333 years ago to the day. Sibbald was one of the leading intellectuals of his day. He was the first Professor of Medicine at University of Edinburgh, co-founder of the Royal College of Physicians Edinburgh and of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
Traditionally the role was for cartographic and geographic advice. There have been four individuals who have previously held the title of Geographer Royal For Scotland, the last being George Harvey Johnston, a leading Edinburgh cartographer and publisher who was Geographer Royal for Scotland to Queen Victoria from 1897.
After Johnston, the related title of Cartographer to The King was bestowed as a corporate warrant to the Bartholomew map making firm also from Edinburgh in the period when John George Bartholomew co-founder of RSGS was at the helm. Professor Withers is therefore only the fifth personal honorific.
A DAY FOR CELEBRATION
Speaking about the role, The Princess Royal said: 'There is no doubt that raising the profile of Geography generally is a very important aspect of what we want to do and what you want to do here… we are grateful that Professor Withers has accepted this title and we hope that it will increase the enthusiasm for and understanding of Geography. We can celebrate today the title of Geographer Royal for Scotland being reinstated.'
For more on the work of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society, visit their website.
(Image copyright RSGS)
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