A Biography of Gilbert Hovey Grosvenor

Today we’re going to talk about one of the most influential people in the history of journalism and exploration, Gilbert Hovey Grosvenor. From his beginnings in Constantinople, Grosvenor became the first full-time editor of National Geographic Magazine and President of the National Geographic Society, where he helped build it into one of the world’s largest and most respected science organizations.

Grosvenor was born on October 28, 1875, to Lilian Waters and Edwin A. Grosvenor in Constantinople, Ottoman Empire, now known as Istanbul, Turkey. He was second cousin to U.S. President and U.S. Supreme Court Justice William Howard Taft. Grosvenor attended Worcester Academy and Robert College before earning his A.B. degree magna cum laude from Amherst College in 1897. While at Amherst, Grosvenor and his twin brother Edwin were one of the best tennis doubles teams.

After college, Grosvenor was hired in 1899 as the first full-time employee of the National Geographic Society by Alexander Graham Bell, the Society’s President at the time. He eventually was named Director and later was elected President of the Society in 1920 after the death of Rear Admiral John E. Pillsbury. Grosvenor remained editor of National Geographic magazine until 1954, where he is credited with building the publication into the iconic and respected magazine that it is today.

As President of the National Geographic Society, Grosvenor assisted its rise to one of the world’s largest and best known science and learning organizations, aided by the chronicling in its magazine of ambitious natural and cultural explorations around the globe.

Grosvenor advocated policies of neutrality and positive, upbeat journalism through two world wars, the Great Depression, and the beginning of the Cold War. This style was seen as innovative in the opening years of the 20th century. However, by the 1950s, Grosvenor’s style was criticized as being ossified and dated. He and his staff were criticized as being conservative, complacent, and unwilling to modernize, and the National Geographic’s subscription base fell as a consequence. After 50 years at the helm, he stepped down in 1954 at the age of 78.

Grosvenor first traveled to the western United States in 1915 to hike with Stephen Mather in the Sierra Mountains and what is now Sequoia National Park. “Grosvenor was so overwhelmed by the grandeur of the High Sierras and his experience on the trip that he became a revered and long-time friend of Mather and the national parks,” according to National Park Service historian Walter Bielenberg. Following his return, Grosvenor provided funding to buy Giant Forest and add it to Sequoia National Park.

For years, opposition in Congress had prevented the creation of a national system of parks. In late 1915 and 1916, Grosvenor met with Stephen Mather, Horace Albright, and others to draft the Organic Act, which would create a National Park Service. He then created a special issue of National Geographic (April 1916) entitled “The Land of the Best” to promote the importance of parks and encouraged readers to support the creation of a national system. He and Albright made sure that every member of Congress had a copy of the issue. Their efforts worked, and that year legislation finally passed that would establish the National Park Service.

Grosvenor continued his involvement with the National Parks over the years. He became very involved in protecting the Katmai volcanic crater and Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes from mining exploitation and helped to establish Katmai National Monument in 1918. Katmai National Park’s Grosvenor Lodge is named after him. Grosvenor’s support for conservation efforts extended beyond national parks. He was a leader in the conservation and protection of wildlife and was a member of several organizations that advocated for the preservation of natural resources.

In addition to his contributions to journalism and conservation, Grosvenor was a family man. He married Elsie May Bell, the daughter of Alexander Graham Bell, and together they had seven children. His daughter, Mabel, oversaw the stewardship of Bell’s legacy Canadian estate at Beinn Bhreagh, Baddeck, Nova Scotia, until her death, and was also the Honorary President of the Alexander Graham Bell Club, Canada’s oldest continuing women’s club.

Grosvenor’s health deteriorated following the death of his wife, and he died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 90 on February 4, 1966. Grosvenor is buried in Rock Creek Cemetery alongside his wife and members of the Bell family. Grosvenor Arch, a sandstone double arch located in southern Utah, is named after Gilbert Grosvenor.

Grosvenor’s legacy as a pioneer of photojournalism and conservation is still celebrated today. He is considered the ‘true’ father of photojournalism and transformed National Geographic from a dull scholarly journal into an interesting and superbly illustrated magazine. Under his leadership, the National Geographic Society grew into a massive organization that enabled the exploration and conservation of some of the world’s most iconic and remote places.

His impact on conservation and wildlife protection is also felt today, as his advocacy efforts helped create the National Park Service, and his leadership in environmental organizations helped to preserve natural resources. Grosvenor was also one of the founders of the Cruising Club of America, which is still active today.

Gilbert Hovey Grosvenor was a remarkable figure in American journalism and exploration. He dedicated his life to promoting and preserving the natural world, and his legacy lives on today through the organizations and initiatives he helped create. Grosvenor’s impact on journalism and conservation cannot be overstated, and his contributions will be celebrated for generations to come.

About the National Geographic Society

The National Geographic Society was founded in 1888 by a group of scientists and explorers with a mission to increase and diffuse geographic knowledge. The Society was founded at a time when there was a growing interest in exploration and geographic discovery. The Society’s founding members included Gardiner Greene Hubbard, Alexander Graham Bell, and Gilbert Hovey Grosvenor. Grosvenor would become a key figure in the Society’s history, serving as the editor of National Geographic Magazine for more than 50 years.

National Geographic’s early years were focused on exploration and scientific discovery. The Society funded numerous expeditions around the world, and National Geographic Magazine was the primary vehicle for sharing the stories and discoveries of those expeditions with the public. The magazine quickly became popular, and by the early 20th century, it was one of the most widely read magazines in the United States.

Grosvenor played a key role in the magazine’s success. He became editor of the magazine in 1899 and worked tirelessly to increase its circulation and influence. He introduced many innovations to the magazine, including the use of high-quality photography to illustrate the articles. Grosvenor also helped establish National Geographic as a leader in conservation and environmentalism. He believed that the magazine had a responsibility to raise awareness of environmental issues and to inspire action to protect the natural world.

Today, the National Geographic Society continues to fund scientific research and exploration. It also uses the power of storytelling to inspire people to care about the planet and its people. The Society’s work is guided by a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. It seeks to engage people from all backgrounds in its work and to amplify the voices of underrepresented communities.

The Society has also evolved to take advantage of new technologies and new forms of media. In addition to the magazine, the Society now operates a television channel, a website, and social media platforms. It uses these channels to reach people all over the world and to inspire them to care about the planet and its people. The Society’s work is more important than ever in a world that faces complex environmental and social challenges.

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