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Posted by: Cynthia Smith
This post summarizes the Great Fire of London that occurred in 1666 and the plans that were proposed for rebuilding the city.
Posted in: 17th century cartography, City Histories, European History
Posted by: Cynthia Smith
The Library of Congress holds an extensive collection of maps that have been printed, drawn and embroidered on cloth. This post features a few examples of textile maps held in the Geography and Map Division.
Posted in: 19th century cartography, 20th century cartography, 21st century cartography, American History, Asian History, European History, Military History
Posted by: Cynthia Smith
Florence Bascom broke barriers in the 19th century as a leading geologist of her time. This post discusses her life and career with the United States Geological Survey including the geologic maps she made which are in the Geography and Map Division collections.
Posted in: 19th century cartography, 20th century cartography, Biography, Women's History
Posted by: Cynthia Smith
For centuries, there have been unconventional beliefs about the shape of the Earth. This post provides a historical overview of alternative theories about the Earth's form.
Posted in: American History, European History, Imaginary maps
Posted by: Cynthia Smith
This post features maps of the World's Columbian Exposition that took place in 1893. Images of a guide map, souvenir maps, floor plans, and bird's eye views are included in the post.
Posted in: 19th century cartography, American History, City Histories
Posted by: Cynthia Smith
The Borgia world map is described in this post. The map was made during the 15th century by an unknown cartographer. In 1794, the map was purchased at an antique store in Portugal by Cardinal Stefano Borgia.
Posted in: 15th century cartography, 18th century cartography, European History
Posted by: Cynthia Smith
This post describes a manuscript globe of Mars that was created during the early 20th century by the self-taught Danish astronomer Emmy Ingeborg Brun.
Posted in: 19th century cartography, 20th century cartography, Biography, Women's History
Posted by: Cynthia Smith
This post features selected maps that were created under the auspices of the Federal Writers' Project.
Posted in: 20th century cartography, African American History, American History, Manuscripts
Posted by: Cynthia Smith
This post features a qibla compass that was recently acquired for the collections of the Geography and Map Division. The qibla compass was made in Turkey during the Ottoman Empire.
Posted in: 18th century cartography, 19th century cartography, Middle East and North African History