1811
A Map Historical and Biographical Chart of the United States
At left is Ramsay’s map of the new nation, accompanied by his attempt to “chart” the American past since 1607, directly inspired by the timelines of Joseph Priestley.
1811-1840
1817
Carte des Lignes Isotherms par M. A. de Humboldt
Humboldt devised this chart to represent lines of equal temperature, which enabled observers to think about the relationship between temperature patterns and other phenomena.
1821
Chart of the Inhabited World
Woodbridge devised this world map to represent not topographic detail, but social, cultural, and political geography.
1824
Isothermal Chart
This chart adopted Alexander von Humboldt’s innovation of isothermal lines in order to enable students to investigate the relationship between temperature and agricultural output.
1828
Frances Henshaw, Title Page to her Book of Penmanship
Henshaw was a student at the Middlebury Female Academy, and her journal reveals much about contemporary lessons in geography and penmanship.
1828
Map of Virginia
Here Henshaw traced a map of Virginia to practice penmanship and learn geography.
1828
Descriptive Picture of Virginia
Alongside each hand-drawn state map, Henshaw visually rendered a description of each state to inscribe it in her memory.
1828
Descriptive Picture of Kentucky
Henshaw’s picture of Kentucky indicates that she was taught to arrange material geographically, the same spatial approach to learning promoted by Emma Willard.
1828
Emma Willard, “Introductory” Map of American History
This map opened one of the first historical atlases of America, created by the noted educator Emma Willard. Note that she marked not just the location of tribes, but their migration over time.
1828
Emma Willard, “First” Map of American History
Willard’s second map in the atlas marked the earliest voyages to America, and took pains to represent change over time. Note the inclusion of failed voyages and settlements..
1828
Emma Willard, “Ninth” Map of American History
In her final map of the historical atlas, Willard proudly asserted the admission of new states in the trans-Mississippi west, and detailed the transfer of territory from native tribes to the Union.
1832
Chart Shewing the Progress of Spasmodic Cholera
The international cholera epidemic of 1832 encouraged Brigham, and many others, to adopt maps to analyze the source and path of the disease.
1832
Map of the Canals & Railroads of the United States
The Philadelphia mapmaker Henry Tanner adapted his existing map of the U.S. to trace the cholera epidemic of 1832. Notice his use of red ink to identify the cities of the outbreak.
1832
A Map of the World Exhibiting the Progress of Cholera
Frustrated by what he considered the flawed and misleading maps of cholera, Henry Tanner designed this world map to identify the geographic and chronological phases of the epidemic.
1835
Perspective Sketch of the Course of the Empire
Willard designed this comprehensive “picture of nations” to capture the advent of different civilizations, from the beginnings of recorded history down to her own day.