Keltie, John Scott, Sir, Subject of Mss Eur F157

Epithet: Subject of Mss Eur F157

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000001347.0x000098

John Scott Keltie was born in Dundee in 1840. He was educated at St. Andrews University but left before completing his degree to study in Edinburgh for the United Presbyterian Church. In 1861, he joined the publishing firm of Messrs. W&R Chambers, working on publications including Chamber's Encyclopaedia and A History of the Scottish Highlands, Highland Clans and Highland Regiments (1874).

In 1871, he joined the editorial staff of Messrs Macmillan in London, becoming sub-editor of Nature in 1873 and editor of The Statesman's Yearbook in 1884.

Keltie's long association with the Royal Geographical Society began in 1884 when he was appointed inspector of geographical education, publishing an extensive report on the subject in 1886. In 1885, he was appointed librarian of the society, and assistant secretary in 1892. The new monthly Geographical Journal appeared in 1893 and was under Keltie's editorship until 1915, and joint editorship until 1917.

He resigned as secretary of the Royal Geographical Society in 1915, was elected to the council in 1917 and became vice-president of the society in 1921. He was knighted in 1918 and died in London in 1927.

From the guide to the John Scott Keltie collection, 1907-1919, (Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge)