author
Sir John Scott Keltie
1840–1927
A Scottish geographer and editor, he helped bring geography into wider public life through his long work with the Royal Geographical Society and major reference publishing. His career linked scholarship, journalism, and exploration at a time when public interest in the wider world was rapidly growing.
1 Audiobook
History of Geography
by Sir John Scott Keltie, O. J. R. (Osbert John Radcliffe) Howarth
About the author
Born in Dundee on March 29, 1840, he was educated in Perth and later studied at St Andrews and Edinburgh. Early in his career he worked in publishing and journalism, including editorial work with W. & R. Chambers, Macmillan, and for a time Nature, building a reputation as a skilled editor with a strong interest in geography.
He is best known for his work with the Royal Geographical Society. After joining the Society in the 1880s, he served as librarian and later as assistant secretary, becoming one of the key figures behind its day-to-day work and its efforts to promote geography as a serious field of study.
He also edited The Statesman’s Year-Book for many years and was associated with The Geographical Journal. Knighted for his services, Sir John Scott Keltie died on January 12, 1927. He is remembered as an important organiser, editor, and advocate who helped shape modern geographical education and institutions.