Edinburgh and empire. Geographical science and citizenship for a ‘new’ age, ca.1900

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Abstract
This paper explores how, at the turn of this century, the newly‐established Royal Scottish Geographical Society based in Edinburgh provided a forum for a range of debates within medicine, biology, ecology and politics. The empire supplied a common geographical focus at a time when the unity and efficient functioning of Britain's greatly enlarged territorial domain preoccupied the official mind. The paper examines three themes in particular; scientific studies linking climate with European survival overseas; synoptic analyses of world regions defined by environmental and cultural differences; ecological studies designed to enhance the quality of civic life. It is argued that implicit in these debates were intellectual visions of the ‘ideal’ relations between society and the physical environment which offered a commentary not only on conditions overseas but also within Britain. In these assessments, Britain's scientific and cultural superiority did not go unquestioned. The RSGS and its publication The Scottish Geographical Magazine provided an outlet for the public expression of both imperial pride and national self‐criticism.