Melville Bell Grosvenor
Encyclopedia
Melville Bell Grosvenor was the president of the National Geographic Society
and editor of National Geographic Magazine
from 1957 to 1969. He was the son of the magazine's first editor Gilbert Hovey Grosvenor
, and the grandson of telephone inventor Alexander Graham Bell
.
A photography enthusiast, he increased the size of printed photographs in the magazine, and initiated the practice, that continues to this day, of opening articles with a two-page photo feature. He reduced the name of the publication from The National Geographic Magazine to National Geographic. Under Melville's tenure, National Geographic also began to branch out from land expeditions to cover investigations into space and the deep sea.
Melville expanded the scope of the society's operations, branching into the production of documentaries bearing the National Geographic name, which began airing on television. Four of these were produced per year. Among the features produced during Melville's presidency, were documentaries covering the first American expedition to Mount Everest
and Jacques Cousteau's underwater exploits.
His son, Gilbert Melville Grosvenor
was editor of National Geographic Magazine from 1970 to 1980 before becoming president of the National Geographic Society, which he served until 1996.
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...
and 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...
from 1957 to 1969. He was the son of the magazine's first editor Gilbert Hovey Grosvenor
Gilbert Hovey Grosvenor
Gilbert Hovey Grosvenor , the father of photojournalism, was the first full-time editor of National Geographic Magazine, serving from 1899 to 1954. Grosvenor is credited with having built the magazine into the iconic publication that it is today...
, and the grandson of telephone inventor 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....
.
A photography enthusiast, he increased the size of printed photographs in the magazine, and initiated the practice, that continues to this day, of opening articles with a two-page photo feature. He reduced the name of the publication from The National Geographic Magazine to National Geographic. Under Melville's tenure, National Geographic also began to branch out from land expeditions to cover investigations into space and the deep sea.
Melville expanded the scope of the society's operations, branching into the production of documentaries bearing the National Geographic name, which began airing on television. Four of these were produced per year. Among the features produced during Melville's presidency, were documentaries covering the first American expedition to Mount Everest
Mount Everest
Mount Everest is the world's highest mountain, with a peak at above sea level. It is located in the Mahalangur section of the Himalayas. The international boundary runs across the precise summit point...
and Jacques Cousteau's underwater exploits.
His son, Gilbert Melville Grosvenor
Gilbert Melville Grosvenor
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....
was editor of National Geographic Magazine from 1970 to 1980 before becoming president of the National Geographic Society, which he served until 1996.
Further reading
- Poole, Robert M. Explorers House: National Geographic and the World it Made. New York: Penguin, 2004. {ISBN|1594200327}
- McDowell, Bart "Melville Bell Grosvenor, a Decade of Innovation, a Lifetime of Service". National Geographic, August 1982, pp. 270-278