Name: Robert Plot
Dates: 1640-1696
Map type: Very rare, detailed, large historical interest copperplate engraved maps.

Born at his family home in the Kentish town of Borden, Robert Plot first went to a local free School in Wye, and then Magdalen College, Oxford, from which he graduated in 1661. He continued his studies to higher levels for a further ten years or so, finally leaving education in 1671. Having developed interests in various fields, he planned to survey the whole country and publish a number of volumes, by area, detailing the various natural geological elements, history, buildings, produce and antiquities therein, but actually only completed Oxfordshire and Staffordshire. The first edition of The Natural History of Oxford-shire was published in 1677. Plot was then appointed the first 'Keeper of the new Ashmolean Museum' in Oxford, and in 1683, 'Professor of Chemistry' there at the new, Broad Street site. Here, after some time, he began another book: The Natural History of Stafford-shire, which went on to be published in 1686. Considering the salary as not sufficient, Plot left the museum 1690. Robert Plot died six years later after suffering from a urinary complaint.

Robert Plot 1640-1696

Plot's map of Oxfordshire, with its remarkable borders of heraldic shields.