Lunch Hour Lecture | The Library of Lost Maps

Lunch Hour Lecture | The Library of Lost Maps

by James Cheshire

Humanities, Social Sciences & Thought History NHTPHistorical geographyNHTP1Historical maps and atlases
🎙 James Cheshire 👥 21K 📅 December 12, 2025 ⏱ 59 min 👁 363 📄 lecture 🧭 2026-08-16
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

cartographymap librarySDUKGeorge Bellas Greenoughgeological maps

Summary

In this lecture, Professor James Cheshire explores the history and significance of UCL’s map library, which he calls ‘The Library of Lost Maps.’ He begins by describing the decline of physical map collections in geography departments due to the rise of digital maps, but highlights that UCL’s collection has survived intact. He then delves into the origins of the collection, linking it to UCL’s early history and the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge (SDUK), which published a subscription atlas that became one of the most successful map series of the 19th century, with over 3 million maps printed. Cheshire discusses the role of Francis Beaufort in overseeing the map production, and the meticulous work of engravers and watercolorists. He also tells the story of George Bellas Greenough, a wealthy scholar and early backer of UCL, who created one of the first geological maps of England and Wales and a rare geological map of the Indian subcontinent. The lecture highlights the importance of maps in understanding history and the value of preserving such collections. Cheshire also touches on the post-war period and the development of GIS at UCL, connecting the past to modern digital mapping.

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Critical Evaluation

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The lecture provides valuable insights into the history of cartography and the role of UCL in mapmaking. Cheshire’s argumentation is solid, based on primary sources such as archival documents, maps, and notebooks. He effectively demonstrates the significance of the map library and the stories behind the maps, making a compelling case for the importance of preserving such collections. The narrative is engaging and well-structured, connecting historical events to broader themes in science and education.

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Title / Content Match

The title accurately reflects the content, which focuses on rediscovering and interpreting historical maps from UCL's map library.

Quality & Reliability

8/10

The lecture is based on archival research and primary sources, presented by a recognized professor of geographic information and cartography. The content is well-documented with references to specific archives and collections, but some claims lack detailed citations in the talk itself.

Key Moments

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

Cited Sources

Concurring Sources

  • UCL Department of Geography — The department houses the map library discussed in the lecture.

Contribution & Novelties

This lecture brings to light a largely forgotten map collection at UCL, providing new insights into the history of cartography and the role of UCL in mapmaking. It reveals the stories behind significant maps, such as the SDUK atlas and Greenough’s geological maps, and emphasizes the importance of preserving such collections. The lecture also connects historical mapmaking to modern GIS, showing the evolution of geographic information science.

Pour aller plus loin :

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Radar Profile

The radar profile shows high scores in information quantity, quality, and reliability, with a moderate technical level. This indicates a well-researched and informative lecture that is accessible to a general audience while still offering depth for those interested in cartography and history.

Reliability 8/10

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