The Royal Geographical Society's Gold Medal consists of two separate awards: the Founder's Medal 1830 and the Patron's Medal 1838. Together they form the most prestigious of the society's awards. They are given for "the encouragement and promotion of geographical science and discovery." Royal approval is required before an award can be made.
The awards originated as an annual gift of fifty guineas from King William IV, first made in 1831, "to constitute a premium for the encouragement and promotion of geographical science and discovery." The Royal Geographical Society decided in 1839 to change this monetary award into the two gold medals. Prior to 1902 the Patron's Medal was alternatively known as the "Victoria Medal".
Recipients include David Livingstone in 1855, Mary Somerville in 1869, Nain Singh Rawat in 1877, Ferdinand von Richthofen in 1878, Alfred Russel Wallace in 1892 and William Woodville Rockhill in 1893, to more recent winners including William Morris Davis in 1919, Sir Halford John Mackinder in 1945, Paul-Émile Victor in 1952, Richard Chorley in 1987 and David Harvey in 1995.
Recipients (since 1970) Source: List of Past Gold Medal Winners by RGS Date Founder's Medal Contribution Patron's Medal Contribution2026Enric SalaFor the encouragement and promotion of geographical science and discoveryLoretta LeesFor contributions to geographical science2025Børge OuslandFor the encouragement and promotion of geographical science and discoverySusan J. SmithFor the encouragement and promotion of geographical science and discovery2024Vanessa LawrenceFor outstanding contributions to the Society and to the promotion of geography in the UK and internationallyStephen VenablesFor his lifetime’s contribution to geographical discovery in the high mountains of the world2023Andrew Mitchell For his lifetime’s contribution to protect tropical rainforests and combat climate changeFelix DriverFor his contributions to the Society and historical geography2022David Hempleman-AdamsFor enabling science through expeditions, and inspiring younger generations of geographersJane FrancisFor her contributions to the earth and environmental sciences2021Andy EavisFor significant contribution in leading speleological expeditions, exploring and recording some of the largest caves in the world for over 50 yearsRita GardnerFor widespread advancement of Geography across all its sub-disciplines through her Directorship of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)2020Heather VilesFor her excellence in establishing the field of biogeomorphologyMichael JonesFor his contribution to the development of geospatial information2019Trevor Barnesfor sustained excellence and pioneering developments in the field of economic geographyFiona Reynoldsfor her contribution to environmental protection, conservation and the preservation of the British landscape2018 Paul Rosefor scientific expeditions and enhancing public understandingYadvinder Malhifor world leading studies on the impact of climate change on tropical ecosystems2017Gordon Conwayfor the enhancement and promotion of agricultural development in Asia and AfricaLindsey Hilsumfor promoting the understanding of global conflict and inequality2016Michael Storperfor scholarship and leadership in human and economic geographyBob Geldoffor raising global public awareness and challenging the causes of inequality in Africa2015Michael Battyfor development and promotion of the geographical science of citiesPaul Therouxfor the encouragement of geographical discovery through travel writing2014Geoffrey Boultonfor the development and promotion of glaciologyHans Roslingfor the encouragement and development of the public understanding of geographical data and influencing decision makers across the world2013Keith Richardsfor the encouragement and development of physical geography and fluvial geomorphologyMichael Palinfor the promotion of geography and geographical education2012Charles Withersfor the encouragement and development of historical and cultural geographyAlastair Fothergillfor promoting globally the understanding of the world's environments2011David Livingstonefor the encouragement and promotion of historical geographySylvia Earlefor the encouragement, development and promotion of ocean science and exploration2010Diana Livermanencouraging, developing and promoting understanding of the human dimensions of climate changeJack Dangermondpromoting geographical science through the development of Geographical Information Systems2009Alan Bakercontributions to historical geographyNicholas Sternfor contributions to climate change policy2008Julian Dowdeswellencouragement, development and promotion of glaciologyJesse Walkerencouragement, development and promotion of coastal geomorphology2007Roger Barryinternational leadership of research on climate and climate changePaul Curraninternational development of geographical science through remote sensing and Earth observation2006Derek Gregoryinternational leadership of research in human geography and social theoryJack Ivesrole internationally in establishing the global importance of mountain regions2005Nicholas Shackletonresearch on Quaternary palaeoclimatologyJean Malaurielifelong study of the Arctic and its peoples2004Leszek Starkeladvancing international understanding of palaeohydrology and geomorphologySydney Possuelocontributions to Brazilian people's rights and explorations in Amazonia2003Michael Frank Goodchildcontributions to geographical information scienceHarish Kapadiacontributions to geographical discovery and mountaineering in the Himalayas2002Bruno Messerlimountain research and the public awareness of mountain issuesDavid Keebleadvancing knowledge in economic and industrial geography2001William Grafresearch on dryland river processes, and the interactions of science and public policyReinhold Messnermountaineering and mountain regions2000Brian Robsonurban geography and geographical perspectives to urban policyCrispin Tickell GCMG KCVOpromoting the understanding of global environmental issues in governmental and wider public arena1999Mike Kirkbydevelopment of processed-based and modelling approaches in geomorphologyDoug Scott, CBEmountaineering and the knowledge of mountain regions1998Robert BennettDavid Drewry1997 Tony Wrigley David Rhind1996 John Woods John Thornes1995The Earl of CranbrookDavid Harvey1994Ronald Urwick CookeGhillean Prance1993Kenneth GregoryJohn Blashford-Snell1992Alan WilsonMartin Holdgate1991Andrew GoudieHelge and Anne Stine Ingstad1990John HemmingRichard Leakey1989Monica KristensenKeith Clayton1988Peter HallNigel de Northrop Winser1987Anthony LaughtonRichard J Chorley1986Timothy SeverinPeter Haggett1985David AttenboroughWalter Smith1984Ranulph FiennesPierre Gourou1983Peter ScottJohn Young, NASA1982Michael WardDouglas Warren1981Keith J MillerValter Schytt1980William Richard MeadPreston James1979David Stoddart For contributions to geomorphology, the study of coral reefs and the history of academic Geography Robin Hanbury-Tenison For leadership of scientific expeditions, including the Mulu Expedition, and for his work on behalf of primitive peoples1978Major-General R. BrownFor services to the science of map-makingMieczysław Klimaszewski For his contributions to geomorphology and international understanding in Geography1977Michael John WiseFor economic Geography, and for his contributions to international understanding in geographical teachingKenneth HareFor discoveries in Arctic Geography1976Brian B. RobertsFor Polar exploration, and for contributions to Antarctic research and political negotiationEdmund IrvingFor services as Hydrographer of the Navy and for his encouragement of exploration1975Laurence P. KirwanFor contributions to the geographical history of the Nubian Nile valley and Eastern Africa, and for services to explorationJoachim P. KuettnerFor explorations of the Earth's atmosphere and oceans1974Christian J. S. BoningtonFor mountain explorationsGordon de Q. RobinFor polar research and exploration1973Norman L. FalconLeader, the RGS's Musandam [North Oman] Expedition. For contributions to the geographical history of the Persian Gulf regionEdgar H. Thompsonof photogrammetry and surveying, University College London1972George S. RitchieFor hydrographical charting and oceanographical explorationMichael D. GwynneLeader, the RGS's South Turkana (Kenya] Expedition1971George DeaconFor oceanographical research and explorationCharles SwithinbankFor glaciological research and exploration1970Walter William HerbertFor Arctic and Antarctic exploration and surveysHaroun TazieffFor volcanological research and exploration
Recipients (1901–1970)