Memorial to John Speed, St Giles-without-Cripplegate, London.
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Name: John Speed
Dates: 1542 -1629 Map type: Very decorative copperplate engraved maps, published in sheet and atlas form from c.1612 - c.1770. |
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John Speed is, perhaps, the most universally known name associated with antique maps. A 17th Century English mapmaker, Speed's often visually stunning county and country maps are highly collectable and understandably sought-after worldwide.
From humble beginnings, John Speed began his working life as a tailor in the northern English county of Cheshire. He worked his apprenticeship under his father, a local tailor, and continued in the family business for a number of years. However, John was clearly not cut out for this career. His attention to detail and his obviously inquiring mind, together with a keen interest in cartography, led him to try his hand at map making. He began to exhibit a peculiar talent for this and, despite still working as a tailor, Speed created and published his first known map in 1595; a map of Canaan.
Soon afterwards, he was patronised by Sir Fulk Revil, who released him from his apprenticeship commitment to his father, under the premise that this talent should be conditioned and tuned. It was this generosity that allowed Speed to leave for London, still as a teenager, and focus on his education at the College of Antiquaries. He became immersed in his studies, developing his keen interest in history, and soon a specialist interest in the history of cartography. Needless to say, Speed revelled in the opportunity and, with the help and advice of various associates of Sir Fulk Revil, pursued the notion of creating a complete and accurate atlas of the British Isles.
Speed took the first step with his home county of Cheshire, completing the map with one of the earliest town plans of Chester, Armes and vignettes which were to become his signature style. Engraved by William Rogers, this map was published individually in 1604. He continued to cover all the counties of England and Wales . The resulting atlas, finally published in 1612, was titled The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine. This remarkable work was published in partnership with the already established house of John Sudbury and George Humble. The Theatre was a great success and was published again many times and by a number of publishers: Sudbury and Humble notably published their second edition of The Theatre in 1627, the last edition to be published before Speed died. Some later, posthumous editions of Speed county maps can be seen published by a number of names: perhaps the most frequently seen of these later editions was by Bassett and Chiswell in 1676. Various other versions by Overton, Rea, Browne and Dicey can be found struck as late as 1770, (please see below).
In 1627, Speed released his other major work: A Prospect of the Most Famous Parts of the World. This finely detailed and embellished world atlas, the result of many years development alongside The Theatre, includes the notable accolade of being the first world atlas to be published by an Englishman. The Prospect was to be his last major work. John Speed died on July 28th, 1629 having created some of the most remarkable cartography.
Below are listed: the various editions of John Speed's major works:
Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine:
Published by:
John Sudbury and George Humble, in: 1612 (1st edition) and 1616 (Latin text edition).
George Humble alone in: 1623, 1627, and 1631 to 1632,
and his son, William Humble in: 1646, 1650 to 1654.
Roger Rea in: 1662 to 1665.
Bassett & Chiswell in: 1676.
Christopher Browne in around 1690 to 1695.
John & Henry Overton in 1710 to 1743.
and finally, Dicey & Co around 1770.
A Prospect of the Most Famous Parts of the World :
Published by:
George Humble in: 1627 (1st edition), and then 1631 to 1632,
William Humble in: 1646, and then 1650 to 1654,
Roger Rea in: 1662 to 1665,
and finally by Bassett & Chiswell in 1676.
From humble beginnings, John Speed began his working life as a tailor in the northern English county of Cheshire. He worked his apprenticeship under his father, a local tailor, and continued in the family business for a number of years. However, John was clearly not cut out for this career. His attention to detail and his obviously inquiring mind, together with a keen interest in cartography, led him to try his hand at map making. He began to exhibit a peculiar talent for this and, despite still working as a tailor, Speed created and published his first known map in 1595; a map of Canaan.
Soon afterwards, he was patronised by Sir Fulk Revil, who released him from his apprenticeship commitment to his father, under the premise that this talent should be conditioned and tuned. It was this generosity that allowed Speed to leave for London, still as a teenager, and focus on his education at the College of Antiquaries. He became immersed in his studies, developing his keen interest in history, and soon a specialist interest in the history of cartography. Needless to say, Speed revelled in the opportunity and, with the help and advice of various associates of Sir Fulk Revil, pursued the notion of creating a complete and accurate atlas of the British Isles.
Speed took the first step with his home county of Cheshire, completing the map with one of the earliest town plans of Chester, Armes and vignettes which were to become his signature style. Engraved by William Rogers, this map was published individually in 1604. He continued to cover all the counties of England and Wales . The resulting atlas, finally published in 1612, was titled The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine. This remarkable work was published in partnership with the already established house of John Sudbury and George Humble. The Theatre was a great success and was published again many times and by a number of publishers: Sudbury and Humble notably published their second edition of The Theatre in 1627, the last edition to be published before Speed died. Some later, posthumous editions of Speed county maps can be seen published by a number of names: perhaps the most frequently seen of these later editions was by Bassett and Chiswell in 1676. Various other versions by Overton, Rea, Browne and Dicey can be found struck as late as 1770, (please see below).
In 1627, Speed released his other major work: A Prospect of the Most Famous Parts of the World. This finely detailed and embellished world atlas, the result of many years development alongside The Theatre, includes the notable accolade of being the first world atlas to be published by an Englishman. The Prospect was to be his last major work. John Speed died on July 28th, 1629 having created some of the most remarkable cartography.
Below are listed: the various editions of John Speed's major works:
Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine:
Published by:
John Sudbury and George Humble, in: 1612 (1st edition) and 1616 (Latin text edition).
George Humble alone in: 1623, 1627, and 1631 to 1632,
and his son, William Humble in: 1646, 1650 to 1654.
Roger Rea in: 1662 to 1665.
Bassett & Chiswell in: 1676.
Christopher Browne in around 1690 to 1695.
John & Henry Overton in 1710 to 1743.
and finally, Dicey & Co around 1770.
A Prospect of the Most Famous Parts of the World :
Published by:
George Humble in: 1627 (1st edition), and then 1631 to 1632,
William Humble in: 1646, and then 1650 to 1654,
Roger Rea in: 1662 to 1665,
and finally by Bassett & Chiswell in 1676.