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Aaron Arrowsmith
- By The Map Collector
- Published 1 December 1979
- Maps
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The Map Collector
The Map Collector, initiated by Peter Scott and Valerie G. Newby, was a journal on historical cartography published every quarter. The first issue appeared in 1997 and continued for nearly 20 years. After 74 issues the last copy appeared in Spring 1996. Mrs. Valerie G. Newby, is presently editor of the IMCoS Journal.
www.imcos.org
By R.V. Tooley
AARON ARROWSMITH (1750-1823) was one of the greatest English cartographers but he has hardly received the attention that is his due.
Born at Winston in County Durham in poor circumstances with few material advantages, he moved to London in 1770 and worked possibly for Faden and certainly for John Cary. For the latter he took the measurements of the roads from London to Falmouth which were published in 1782. He is also said to have taken the pedometer measurements for Cary's county maps and probably learned the art of engraving at his establishment.
He set up on his own account in 1790 as surveyor, publisher and engraver working at Castle Street in Long Acre, London. In 1794 he moved to 5 Charles Street, Soho Square; moving in 1802 to 24 Rathbone Place and finally to 10 Soho Square in 1810.
His first production was a 'Chart of the World upon Mercator's Projection' showing all the new discoveries which was published on January 1, 1790 on eleven sheets. This large map (152.5cms x 264cms) was based on the astronomical observations taken during the voyages of Captain James Cook. It has now become extremely rare. It set a standard and style that was followed in his later publications and settled his reputation internationally. His largest publication was his map of Southern India on eighteen sheets in 1822 but probably his most prized publication was his 'Chart of the Pacific Ocean' on nine sheets published in 1798 with later editions in 1800?, 1808, 1810 and posthumously in 1832. His map of America, which was issued on three large sheets on January 1, 1795, was reissued with additions in 1796, 1802, 1811, 1814, 1819, 1821 and posthumously in 1824, 1838 and 1850. His map of the United States on four sheets was published in 1796 (three issues) and also in 1802, 1808, 1816 and 1819.
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COPYRIGHT December 1979 The Map Collector, All rights reserved.
No portion of this article nor the accompanying illustrations can or may be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
AARON ARROWSMITH (1750-1823) was one of the greatest English cartographers but he has hardly received the attention that is his due.
Born at Winston in County Durham in poor circumstances with few material advantages, he moved to London in 1770 and worked possibly for Faden and certainly for John Cary. For the latter he took the measurements of the roads from London to Falmouth which were published in 1782. He is also said to have taken the pedometer measurements for Cary's county maps and probably learned the art of engraving at his establishment.
He set up on his own account in 1790 as surveyor, publisher and engraver working at Castle Street in Long Acre, London. In 1794 he moved to 5 Charles Street, Soho Square; moving in 1802 to 24 Rathbone Place and finally to 10 Soho Square in 1810.
His first production was a 'Chart of the World upon Mercator's Projection' showing all the new discoveries which was published on January 1, 1790 on eleven sheets. This large map (152.5cms x 264cms) was based on the astronomical observations taken during the voyages of Captain James Cook. It has now become extremely rare. It set a standard and style that was followed in his later publications and settled his reputation internationally. His largest publication was his map of Southern India on eighteen sheets in 1822 but probably his most prized publication was his 'Chart of the Pacific Ocean' on nine sheets published in 1798 with later editions in 1800?, 1808, 1810 and posthumously in 1832. His map of America, which was issued on three large sheets on January 1, 1795, was reissued with additions in 1796, 1802, 1811, 1814, 1819, 1821 and posthumously in 1824, 1838 and 1850. His map of the United States on four sheets was published in 1796 (three issues) and also in 1802, 1808, 1816 and 1819.
Read Full Article >>
[Acrobat Reader required]
COPYRIGHT December 1979 The Map Collector, All rights reserved.
No portion of this article nor the accompanying illustrations can or may be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
