The Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers), often called the RGS, is the UK’s leading learned society for geography, founded in 1830 to advance geographical science.
 
Originally named the Geographical Society of London, it began as a dining club for scientific debates and gained royal patronage under King William IV, receiving its charter in 1859 under Queen Victoria.  It later merged with the Institute of British Geographers in 1995 and absorbed earlier groups like the African Association (1788).  Today, it supports over 16,000 members through research, expeditions, lectures, and publications like the Geographical Journal.
 
Lowther Lodge in Kensington, the RGS headquarters since 1913, exemplifies Victorian architecture designed by Richard Norman Shaw and shown above.
 
Interesting facts...
Its archives hold over two million items, including Charles Darwin’s pocket sextant from the Beagle voyage, T.E. Lawrence’s headscarf, and David Livingstone’s notebooks—many rarely seen publicly.  The world’s largest map collection exceeds one million items, with secret prayer wheels hiding maps from Survey of India spies.  These treasures, acquired since 1830 from explorers and Admiralty sources, reveal untold roles of local guides in expeditions.