Donate now and support our Discovery 125 Anniversary fundraiser
The 1901–1904 Discovery expedition in many ways established a baseline of scientific research into the Antarctic region. It also launched the careers of Robert Falcon Scott, Ernest Shackleton, Edward Wilson, Tom Crean, and others.
The Discovery expedition collections held in the Royal Geographical Society archives offer a remarkable record of early polar exploration and pioneering scientific research, laying foundations that continue to shape modern understanding.
Today, around 7,000 fragile photographs, maps, letters and reports from the expedition are at risk of deterioration. With timely support, these irreplaceable materials can be digitised and shared more widely, protecting an important part of our collective heritage while opening it up for education, research and public engagement.
The RGS is hosting a fundraising event on Thursday 6 August 2026 to celebrate the Discovery expedition and raise funds for this appeal.
Why your donation matters
The items from the 1901–1904 Discovery expedition preserve valuable evidence of early polar exploration, scientific research and changing understanding of our world.
Why give now: There is an important opportunity to protect these collections, using technology which will ensure they are preserved for posterity and made accessible worldwide.
Your impact: Support for this project will help safeguard a significant heritage collection and expand access for students, researchers and the wider public.
Your gift: By giving today, you can help ensure that the Discovery expedition collections are preserved, shared and used to inspire future generations.
Donate today and help us protect and preserve our unique heritage.
What will your donation support?
By donating today, you can help preserve and share the Discovery expedition collections for public benefit.
- £25 could help support the digitisation of an individual photograph or document, ensuring they are preserved and made accessible for research and education.
- £50 could contribute to the conservation and digitisation of a fragile map or archival journal article, protecting them from potential deterioration.
- £100 could help digitise a small collection of items, opening rare expedition records to students, researchers and the wider public worldwide.
A donation of any amount will help us protect this nationally and internationally significant heritage.
