Geographical Society of Philadelphia

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The Geographical Society of Philadelphia was founded by Angelo Heilprin in 1891^[1] "to promote the discovery and appreciation of the many wonders of our world." Through grants, it has supported major explorations. It also sponsors educational programs related to geography, science, and history.^{[citation needed]}

It awards the Elisha Kent Kane Gold Medal,^[2] named for Elisha Kane, "for eminent geographical research." Recipients have included Robert E. Peary (1902), Robert F. Scott (1904), Roald Amundsen (1907), Ernest Shackleton (1910), Ellsworth Huntington (1916), Vilhjalmur Stefansson (1919), Richard E. Byrd (1926), Thor Heyerdahl, Alexander H. Rice Jr. and Rachel Carson.