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The First Mapping of America
The General Survey of British North America. Tauris Historical Geography Series
By (author)
Alex Johnson
Genres:
Historical geography, Physical geography & topography, History of the Americas, Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900
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Synopsis
The First Mapping of America tells the story of the General Survey. At the heart of the story lie the remarkable maps and the men who made them - the commanding and highly professional Samuel Holland, Surveyor-General in the North, and the brilliant but mercurial William Gerard De Brahm, Surveyor-General in the South. Battling both physical and political obstacles, Holland and De Brahm sought to establish their place in the firmament of the British hierarchy. Yet the reality in which they had to operate was largely controlled from afar, by Crown administrators in London and the colonies and by wealthy speculators, whose approval or opposition could make or break the best laid plans as they sought to use the Survey for their own ends. New & Used
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What Reviewers Are Saying
`In The First Mapping of America, Alexander Johnson tells a fascinating story of the General Survey of British North America and the groundbreaking maps it produced between the end of the Seven Years War in 1764 and the beginning of the American Revolution in 1775. Writing in an accessible and elegant style that will appeal to both scholars and map enthusiasts alike, Johnson lavishly illustrates his book with maps that have rarely been seen. His detailed research adds significantly to our knowledge of how these important surveys laid the groundwork for the explosive growth and dominance of British cartography in the nineteenth century.' - David Rumsey, Founder, David Rumsey Map Collection, `The First Mapping of America demonstrates how the General Survey is of importance far beyond the fields of colonial American and cartographic history. Skilfully weaving together multiple and complex threads - administrative, political, technical, and biographical - the author demonstrates how the General Survey, as the intended basis for long-term administrative and political decisions, was regarded as being central to the ups and increasing downs of British government policy in North America after 1765. The book sheds new light on the workings of British government and colonial administration in the mid- to late eighteenth century and has much of significance for constitutional and cultural historians and historians of science. Whether in the palaces, offices and taverns of London, or in the forests and swamps and off the coasts of North America, it is replete with stories of human interest that are clearly and elegantly recounted.' - Peter Barber, Emeritus Curator of Maps, British Library and author of The Map Book,- `In The First Mapping of America, Alexander Johnson makes the true story behind many of the foundational maps of the United States and Canada come alive for the first time after 250 years. A captivating "must read", it is a drama of scientific discovery under extraordinary circumstances, and of personal ambition, rivalry, and political intrigue on the eve of the American Revolution.' - Daniel Crouch, Daniel Crouch Rare Books