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Visit to the RGS by the President of Peru, 25th February 1960

Film record of a visit to the Royal Geographical Society by the President of Peru, on 25th February 1960.

1960 6 mins Silent

Overview

Film record of a visit to the Royal Geographical Society by the President of Peru, on 25th February 1960. The President, his wife and entourage arrive at the Royal Geographical Society; he places a wreath beside the Markham memorial before entering. The group are shown in the Main Hall, and view cases containing items from the Society’s Collection relating to Markham (one of his diaries, some books and maps). The Markham memorial is shown in detail at the end of the film.

Manuel Prado Ugarteche (1889-1967) was President of Peru, for the second time, between 1956 and 1962. He is seen placing a wreath besides the memorial to Clements Markham (1830-1916), who first travelled to Peru in 1852. He returned to collect cinchona and introduced it to India. Cinchona bark (a source of quinine) was the first known treatment for malaria. “This Monument to the Memory of Sir Clements Markham K.C.B. F.R.S. & for 12 years President of the Royal Geographical Society was erected in the year 1921 by the Peruvian Nation in Gratitude for his Services as Historian of their Country”.