Gilbert Melville Grosvenor
Encyclopedia
Gilbert Melville Grosvenor, born on May 5, 1931, is past president and chief executive of the National Geographic Society
, as well as a former editor of National Geographic Magazine
.
Born in Washington, D.C.
, Grosvenor is the son of Melville Bell Grosvenor
and the great-grandson of Alexander Graham Bell
.
He assumed the position of editor of National Geographic Magazine in 1970 and held the position until 1980 when he became president of the National Geographic Society. Since his retirement as president of the Society in 1996, he has served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Society, as well as an Honorary Director of The Explorers Club
. In 1996, Grosvenor was awarded a Gold Medal from the Royal Canadian Geographical Society
.
Grosvenor was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
, the highest civilian honour in the United States
, by President George W. Bush
on June 23, 2004.
National Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society , headquartered in Washington, D.C. in the United States, is one of the largest non-profit scientific and educational institutions in the world. Its interests include geography, archaeology and natural science, the promotion of environmental and historical...
, as well as a former editor of National Geographic Magazine
National Geographic Magazine
National Geographic, formerly the National Geographic Magazine, is the official journal of the National Geographic Society. It published its first issue in 1888, just nine months after the Society itself was founded...
.
Born in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, Grosvenor is the son of Melville Bell Grosvenor
Melville Bell Grosvenor
Melville Bell Grosvenor was the president of the National Geographic Society and editor of National Geographic Magazine from 1957 to 1969...
and the great-grandson of Alexander Graham Bell
Alexander Graham Bell
Alexander Graham Bell was an eminent scientist, inventor, engineer and innovator who is credited with inventing the first practical telephone....
.
He assumed the position of editor of National Geographic Magazine in 1970 and held the position until 1980 when he became president of the National Geographic Society. Since his retirement as president of the Society in 1996, he has served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Society, as well as an Honorary Director of The Explorers Club
The Explorers Club
The Explorers Club is a professional society dedicated to scientific exploration of Earth, its oceans, and outer space. Founded in 1904 in New York City, it currently has 30 branches world wide...
. In 1996, Grosvenor was awarded a Gold Medal from the Royal Canadian Geographical Society
Royal Canadian Geographical Society
The Royal Canadian Geographical Society is a Canadian non-profit educational organization dedicated to imparting a broader knowledge and deeper appreciation of Canada — its people and places, its natural and cultural heritage and its environmental, social and economic challenges.-History:The...
.
Grosvenor was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Presidential Medal of Freedom
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is an award bestowed by the President of the United States and is—along with thecomparable Congressional Gold Medal bestowed by an act of U.S. Congress—the highest civilian award in the United States...
, the highest civilian honour in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, by President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
on June 23, 2004.