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Manchester Geographical Society Archive

Date range: 1879-present

Medium: Archive

The Manchester Geographical Society was established in 1884, to meet a growing local interest in the subject of geography. It followed an abortive attempt to set up a Society for Commercial Geography in 1879-80.

The Society’s early activities focussed on colonial geography, especially in relation to commercial and missionary activities. The Society ran a comprehensive programme of lectures, delivered by distinguished guest speakers and its own members. Many leading explorers and travellers spoke at its meetings.

The Society was also active in local fieldwork, and played an important role in promoting geography in local schools and universities. It was one of the leading provincial geographical societies, and the Society remains active in the promotion of geographical subjects to both specialist and public audiences.

The Society’s archive dates from its foundation and includes minute books, annual reports, financial and membership records, cuttings and documents books, correspondence files, photographs, as well as the records of its volunteer group, the Victorians.

See also:

Further information:

  • Catalogue available online via ELGAR.

  • T. N. L. Brown, The History of the Manchester Geographical Society, 1884-1950 (Manchester: Manchester University Press: 1971).

Other information:

Manchester Geographical Society website

Location:


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