Join us online on Saturday 11th September, 2:00 - 4:00pm, for two fascinating presentations that explore the world of maps and cartography, part of our Library Festival.

The Curious Case of the Anonymous Mapmaker

Presenter: Ian Saunders

As Queen Elizabeth lay dying, two gentlemen were rivals, unknown to each other, aiming to publish a set of maps as a new atlas of England. In both cases recent discoveries of manuscripts by them (in which the lecturer was involved) have added to knowledge of their lives and working methods. In “The Case of the Anonymous Mapmaker” we explore the contrasts between the obscure failure William Smith and the celebrated successful cartographer John Speed. We end with a brief examination of Michael Drayton and the eccentric maps devised to illustrate his poem ‘Poly-Olbion’.

Maps: How We Make Them and How They Make Us

Presenter: Barry Rowlingson

Everything happens somewhere, so everything happens on a map. In today's data-rich society, we should have the skills to read maps as we can read books. That doesn't simply mean knowing what each symbol represents on a map - we need an understanding of the processes that make modern maps and how we are increasingly making maps ourselves - and often without us knowing we are doing it!

For this talk, I'll show how maps have changed through history, sometimes changing history themselves in the process - with examples bringing us right-up-to-date with the latest epidemic maps. We'll also attempt some citizen cartography - updating a global map with some audience suggestions!

This is a hybrid event with in person and online participants. You are registering to join as an online participant. You will receive an online meeting link in the email confirmation for your registration. Further guidance for joining the event will be emailed to you two days prior to the event.

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