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Posted by: Amelia Raines
This blog post is an interview with Robert Morris, G&M’s recently retired acquisitions specialist. Robert worked in the division for almost 40 years, building the division’s collections and shaping its collection development policies through the decades.
Posted in: Geography and Map Division, Guest Posts
Posted by: Amelia Raines
For several hundred years, the term "Tartary" - or its Latin version, Tartaria - appeared on European maps, usually floating somewhere between Eastern Europe and China. This post explores the etymology of the place name and the various regions to which it referred.
Posted in: 15th century cartography, 16th century cartography, 17th century cartography, 18th century cartography, 19th century cartography, Asian History, Borders, European History
Posted by: Julie Stoner
An armillary sphere is a model of the heavens featuring a central globe with a framework of rings around it that represent celestial bodies and features. This blog post will discuss these astronomical objects, highlighting the division’s oldest globe and armillary sphere, made by Caspar Vopell in 1543.
Posted in: 16th century cartography
Posted by: Tim St. Onge
The Geography and Map Division collections include vibrant nineteenth century maps showcasing brand new American communities and promises of the "good life" to prospective lot or home buyers. This post explores the common themes and fascinating details of these highly artistic maps designed to lure investment.
Posted in: 19th century cartography, American History, City Histories
Posted by: Amelia Raines
Join us on Tuesday, June 10 at 3pm Eastern for a virtual orientation to maps of the Second World War at the Library of Congress.
Posted in: Events, Geography and Map Division
Posted by: Meagan Snow
Learn more about our Philip Lee Phillips Society Fellow for 2025 Applications are now open for Philip Lee Phillips Society Fellowship at the Library of Congress. Scholars of the history of cartography, Geographic Information Science (GIS), digital humanities, or related fields are encouraged to apply for this fellowship to conduct research that utilizes the collections of the Geography and Map Division.
Posted in: Geography and Map Division
Posted by: Abraham Parrish
An exploration of Earth’s magnetic field through maps.
Posted in: 16th century cartography, 18th century cartography, 19th century cartography, 20th century cartography
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: Julie Stoner
The Geography and Map Division has thousands of topographic maps in its collections but some have a unique take on the rest of the category. This blog post highlights several maps and models that stand out as being different in form and shape from other topographic maps including a chocolate bar map, a pop up map, and a map made of compressed paper among others.
Posted in: 20th century cartography, Physical Geography