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The AGS Awards Program

The encouragement of geographical inquiry, exploration, and education by making awards was one of the earliest goals of the American Geographical Society, actually provided for in the society’s original charter of 1851.  First to be established was the category of Honorary Fellow.  Medals and other ways of recognizing outstanding work in geography have been added over the years.

Honorary Fellowships.   Bestowed upon scientists, explorers, benefactors, practitioners, and champions of geography.  More than 300 bestowed during first 150 years of the society’s existence.  Most recent recipient—Dava Sobel.

Cullum Geographical Medal (established in 1896).  Awarded “to those who distinguish themselves by geographical discoveries or in the advancement of geographical science”.  First recipient—Robert E. Peary.  Most recent recipient—Wilbur Zelinsky.

Charles P. Daly Medal (established in 1902).  Awarded “for valuable or distinguished geographical services or labors”.  First recipient—Robert E. Peary.  Most recent recipient—John R. Mather.

Samuel Finley Breese Morse Medal (established in 1902).  Awarded “for the encouragement of geographical research”.  First recipient—George Hubert Wilkins.  Most recent recipient, Douglas R. McManis.

David Livingstone Centenery Medal (established in 1913).  Awarded “for scientific achievement in the field of geography of the Southern Hemisphere”.    First recipient—Douglas Mawson.  Most recent recipient—Bertha Becker.

George Davidson Medal (established in 1946). Awarded for “exceptional achievement in research or exploration in the Pacific Ocean or the lands bordering thereon”. First recipient—George Babcock Cressey.  Most recent recipient—David R. Stoddart.

Osborn Maitland Miller Medal (established in 1968). Awarded for “outstanding achievements in the field of cartography or geodesy”.   First recipient—Richard Edes Harrison.  Most recent recipient—Mark Monmonier.

Van Cleef Memorial Medal (established in 1970).  Awarded “for outstanding original work in the field of urban geography—preferably, though not necessarily, of an applied nature”.  First recipient—John R. Borchert.  Most recent recipient—Susan Hanson.

Paul P. Vouras Medal (established in 1988).  Awarded for “outstanding work in regional geography”.  First recipients—Deborah & Frank J. Popper.  Most recent recipient, John Fraser Hart.

The Fliers’ and Explorers’ Globe.  Since the late 1890s, pioneering explorers and fliers have been invited to sign their names and draw their routes on this historic globe.  The most recent signers—Neil Armstrong, Brian Jones, Bertrand Piccard, Walter Pitman, Bill Ryan, and Don Walsh.

Wrigley-Fairchild Prize (established in 1994).  Given every three years to the author of the best article by a younger or early-career scholar published in the most recent three volumes of the Geographical Review.  First recipient—Roger A. Clapp.  Most recent recipients—co-authors Roger Hayter and Jerry Patchell.

All honorees are determined by the Council of the American Geographical Society upon recommendations from the Honors Committee, the Exploration Committee, or the Wrigley-Fairchild Prize Committee.