Biography

John Cary (c. 1754-1835)

Many writers regard John Cary as one of the finest of English Cartographers.  His maps, of course, are not decorative in the seventeenth-century sense but he came on the scene at a time when the large-scale county maps had recently become available, roads were being used as never before and accurate geographical information from distant countries was being received in greater and greater detail.  His fine craftsmanship and ability as an engraver enabled him to make the fullest use of these sources and from them he produced a wide range of maps of great accuracy and clarity.  His work covered not only county maps but world atlases, road maps, town and canal plans, sea charts and terrestrial and celestial globes.  His business was eventually taken over by G.F. Cruchley (fl. 1822-75) who continued to use Cary’s engravings throughout his life and it is believed that some plates were still in use in the 20^th. century though the Cary firm was officially closed ca. 1850.

The cartographic historian, Sir H.G. Fordham, regarded Cary as the “Most representative, able and prolific of English cartographers” – high praise from a man who had made a special study of Cary’s life and work.  Whether we agree or not with this assessment, it cannot be denied that Cary was a fine craftsman.

Source: "Antique Maps". By Carl Moreland and David Bannister. First published in 1983.

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