At the turn of the century, the geographer William Morris Davis was dissatisfied with
the existing geographical societies in America. Wanting to create a learned society
comprised of established professionals that was committed to scholarly geographical
pursuits, Davis, along with 25 other geographers, formed the Association of American
Geographers (AAG) in Philadelphia in 1904. Davis also served as the AAG's first
president, from 1904 to 1906. In its early years, the AAG aimed to have geography be
accepted as a specialized field by the scholarly community. To help accomplish this,
the AAG focused on establishing the teaching of geography in schools and on
investigating geographical problems. The strict membership requirements at the time
also provided the AAG with the voices necessary to help achieve these goals.
As geography emerged as a scholarly field, geography departments and graduate
programs emerged at universities as well. The 1920s and 1930s saw the addition of
these new departments bring with them more students of geography, who were eager to
share their views, such as Robert S. Platt, Preston E. James, and Richard
Hartshorne. In 1948, the AAG merged with the American Society of Professional
Geographers (ASPG), which further strengthened the AAG. The constitution was then
modified, and the requirements to become a member of the AAG were relaxed. As a
result, the AAG saw a rise in membership. By the 1950s, the AAG was offering more
professional support than ever before. To help with this growth, a Central Business
Office was authorized, and began operation in Washington, D.C. in 1959.
Currently, the AAG continues its objective of furthering geographic investigations
and applying these findings in the world today. Members of the AAG are comprised of
geographers and other related professionals who work in the academic, public, and
private sectors. They share interests in the theory, methods, and practice of
geography and geographic education. The AAG holds annual meetings and regional
events, and publishes a newsletter, journals, and books. Various grant and award
programs help support and recognize its members. Specialty groups focus on specific
geographic topics, while also sponsoring professional activities and providing
opportunities to network. Regional divisions promote the objectives of the AAG
through meetings and activities in their respective areas. The work of the various
committees of the AAG also contribute to the advancement of geography.
