The Study of the History of Cartography: A Suggested Framework

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Abstract
While there are encouraging signs that the field of the history of cartography is coming into its own, the literature reveals the lack of a logical structure to the discipline, confusion over basic terms, distinctions, and a general definition of the field. This paper illustrates the lack of structure in the discipline with examples drawn from well-known general histories of cartography. It introduces a matrix in which the columns distinguish between the history of cartographic production, consisting of the separate elements of personnel, techniques, and tools, and the history of cartographic products. The rows consist of the various stages in the cartographic process: information gathering, information processing, document distribution, and document use. By setting out the elements of the field in this way, the matrix may be used to classify the existing literature and to demonstrate certain logical gaps and underemphasized areas. In addition, while describing the uses of the matrix, this paper attempts to clarify some important commonly used terms and phrases, such as "historical cartography," and provides a simple definition of the field as a basis for discussion.

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