Dr Catherine Delano-Smith is a leading geographer and historian of cartography and has done a great deal over the course of more than thirty years to deepen and widen research in the history of cartography, within the UK and across the world, becoming a lynchpin of the cartography community.

Dr Delano-Smith was presented with the award in recognition of her contribution to the study of cartography by the Society’s President, Professor Iain Stewart.

Dr Delano-Smith has been one of the foremost activists behind the resurgence of the critical history of cartography, not only in her own works which have been many and influential, but also in her promotion of the International Society for the History of the Map (ISHMap), in her support of a bespoke and well-respected lecture series of lectures at the Warburg and, vitally, in her role as the editor of Imago Mundi, the world’s leading journal for the history of cartography.

She has taken an eclectic approach to researching early maps, covering prehistoric maps, map signs on early printed maps, and the relationship between maps and their users. She is particularly interested in the connection between the map image and social changes in learning and education.

The Bartholomew Globe has been awarded by the RSGS since 2000. The first recipient was John C. Bartholomew and awardees include the National Library of Scotland’s Chris Fleet and RSGS Collections and Information Convenor Margaret Wilkes. Notice by Fraser Shand of RSGS. With the help of Sarah Tyacke.