A photograph of Sir Ernest Shackleton (bottom row, seated second from left) and the Officers of the Manchester Geographical Society, November 1909.
Following his return from the British Antarctic (Nimrod) Expedition of 1907-1909 Sir Ernest Shackleton toured the British Isles and Europe publicising his exploits and raising awareness about polar exploration. He gave various lectures across Manchester and the North-West, and on Friday 5 November 1909, gave a lecture titled "Nearest the South Pole" to the Manchester Geographical Society at the Free Trade Hall, Manchester.
On 6 November 1909, the Manchester Geographical Society held a banquet in celebration of the 25th anniversary of their foundation and in honour of Sir Ernest Shackleton at the Midland Hotel in Manchester.
'I have much pleasure in proposing the toast of the evening. I am sure we all agree that it is with the greatest pleasure and satisfaction that we have again the opportunity of meeting Lieut. Shackleton - a national hero ... We are especially fortunate on the occasion of our banquet to Lieut. Shackleton in being able to combine with it the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the foundation of our Society. I may assure Lieut. Shackleton that it is with greatest pleasure, satisfaction and triumph that we are able to place his name and his visit to Manchester as a Lecturer, with recollections of all he has done, on the records of the Manchester Geographical Society.'
A toast proposed by the Chairman of the Council, Mr Harry Nuttall, that evening.
'All the [Nimrod] expedition will always be grateful for the recognition we received, and never more so than for the great kindness, sympathy and cordial feeling of comradeship which was displayed. We felt there was a desire to show that you appreciated the work which we did, and this was shown in this great city last night and in this fine gathering to-night ...'
Shackleton speaking at the banquet.
Information supplied by Manchester Geographical Society.