The Herbertson Society

From time to time, echoes of the GA's past, and some of its most illustrious names resurface.

The Oxford University Geography Society appeared on my Instagram earlier and it turns out that it was originally called the Herbertson Society after A. J. Herbertson.

Previously called the Herbertson Society, Oxford’s original geography society was named after renowned geographer Andrew John Herbertson (1865-1915), one of the first Readers at the University’s School of Geography – which was itself one of the first geography departments at a university in Britain!

The original society ceased to exist in 2011, but in the academic year 2014-15 we relaunched Oxford Geography Society to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Herbertson’s death.

That event is also mentioned here. This is a very useful source of information.

There is some useful additional information here about his work.

Sadly, the heavy work-load and an ongoing heart condition took their toll on him and his family: On 31st July 1931 Herbertson died at his home near Chinnor, just short of this 50th birthday. His wife died two weeks later. They lie buried together in Holywell Cemetery, not far from the School of Geography.

1924 - Foundation of the Herbertson Society

"The idea of having a student society was first put forward in 1923 when a Hertford undergraduate, E. W. Gilbert, wrote two pages in the departmental suggestions book. He argued that a society should be formed for the students of Geography and that it should seek to promote social activities as well as the holding of meetings with lectures. He went on to suggest that it be called the Herbertson Society in memory of Herbertson." (Scargill, 1999, p. 39)