Gilbert Hovey Grosvenor (/ˈɡroʊvənər/ GROH-vən-ər; October 28, 1875 – February 4, 1966), was the first full-time editor of the National Geographic magazine (1899–1954).

As President of the National Geographic Society (1920-1954), he assisted its rise to one of the world's largest and best known science and learning organizations, aided by the chronicling in its magazine of ambitious natural and cultural explorations around the globe.

He eventually was named Director, and later was elected president of the Society in 1920 after the death of Rear Admiral John E. Pillsbury,[6][7] and remained editor of National Geographic magazine until 1954.

He and his staff (most of whom were in their late 60s and 70s) were criticized as being conservative, complacent, and unwilling to modernize, and the National Geographic's subscription base fell as a consequence.

Grosvenor first traveled to the western United States in 1915 to hike with Stephen Mather in the Sierra Mountains and what is now Sequoia National Park.

[9] Following his return, Grosvenor provided funding to buy Giant Forest and add it to Sequoia National Park.

In late 1915 and 1916, Grosvenor met with Stephen Mather, Horace Albright, and others to draft the Organic Act, which would create a National Park Service.

Together, they were the parents of seven children, including:[13][14] In 1931, Grosvenor bought a property in Coconut Grove, Florida, next door to his brother-in-law, David Fairchild.

[17] Grosvenor's health deteriorated following the death of his wife and he died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 90 on February 4, 1966, at the Bell family estate, Beinn Bhreagh, near Baddeck, Nova Scotia, Canada.