Nicholas Crane to be President of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)
Nicholas Crane will take over as the Society’s figurehead and chair of trustees from Professor Dame Judith Rees at the Society’s Annual General Meeting in London on 1 June 2015.
Nicholas Crane is well known for his television work as the lead presenter of more than 80 geographically-related BBC films, including the BAFTA-winning series Coast, Map Man, Britannia, Great British Journeys and Town. He is also the author of more than 10 books and has written widely in national titles.
His geographical research includes fieldwork in Afghanistan, the first English language biography of Mercator, and a 12,000 year historical geography of Britain.
He has a background in expeditions and solo journeys that includes being part of the two-man team that first located the geographical Pole of Inaccessibility (travelling from Bangladesh, over the Himalayas and across Tibet and the Gobi Desert.) In 1992/93, he completed a solo, 10,000 kilometre mountain walk across Europe from Cape Finistere to Istanbul.
A Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) for 30 years, he is an enthusiastic supporter of the Society’s work with schools and the wider public.
Nicholas Crane said: “It is an enormous honour to have been selected to be President of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG). Geography has been my life, both as an inspiration and a cause. For over 30 years, the RGS has played a pivotal role in all that I have done.”
Dr Rita Gardner, Director of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), said: “We are delighted that Nick Crane is going to be the Society’s next President. His wide-ranging experience, public presence and passion for geography mean that he will be an outstanding champion of the Society’s vital role in a number of areas, including education, fieldwork and expeditions, and engaging the public.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
1. For further media enquiries, including image or interview requests, please contact the RGS-IBG’s Communications and Media Officer, Scott Edwards, at s.edwards@rgs.org or 020 7591 3019.
2. The Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers) is the learned society and professional body for geography. Formed in 1830 for 'the advancement of geographical science', today we deliver this objective through developing, supporting and promoting geographical research, expeditions and fieldwork, education, public engagement, and geography input to policy. We aim to foster an understanding and informed enjoyment of our world. We hold the world's largest private geographical collection and provide public access to it. We have a thriving Fellowship and membership and offer the professional accreditation 'Chartered Geographer’ www.rgs.org