1814 Rizzi-Zannoni Map of Italy

Giovanni Antonio Bartolomeo Rizzi Zannoni (September 2, 1736 - May 20, 1814) was an 18th century Italian cartographer active in Venice and Naples. Zannoni was born in Padua, Italy on September 2, 1736. Between 1749 and 1751 Zannoni studied Astronomy at the University of Padua under John Polen, a prominent astronomer of the period. After leaving the University, Zannoni was commissioned by the King of Poland, Augustus III, to map that country. Zannoni's subsequent survey is considered the first accurate triangulation of Poland. Afterwards Zannoni's services were in high demand and he traveled around much of Europe, working on various surveys in Denmark, Germany, Prussia, and Sweden. Around 1757 Zannoni was caught up in the hostilities surrounding the Seven Year War and, after one battle, was taken to Paris as a prisoner of war. Paris must have suited Zannoni for he remained for nearly 20 years, even taking service with the Paris Engineer's Office. It was also here in Paris the Zannoni developed the cartographic contacts that would lead to his most prolific cartographic publications, including the Atlas Moderne in conjunction with Lattre. In 1781, Zannoni was called to Naples by the Bourbon monarchy to help in the revision of the Charter of 1769. Afterwards he stayed on and produced a numerous important maps of the Kingdom of Naples. Zannoni is considered a careful and precise cartographer and his work, particularly the maps he made in Naples, have been praised by R.V. Tooley as 'remarkable for a marvelously minute attention to detail, and amply deserves the commendation passed upon it by Sir George Fordham' (Tooley, Maps and Mapmakers, 21). Zannoni would spend the remainder of his days in Naples and passed away on May 20, 1814. More by this mapmaker...

Joseph Mawman (fl. 1797 - 1827) was an English general interest publisher active in London during the early 19th century. Mawman published travel guides and narratives, classical works, natural history books, and literary editions as well as producing contract work for both individuals and institutions. Mawman's offices were established in the Poultry, London where he took over the established publishing firm of Edward and Charles Dilly in 1800. The offices were later relocated to Ludgate Street, also in London. Mawman, who nurtured friendships with various period luminaries, was well known and highly respected intelligence and publishing acumen. Mawman died in 1827. Learn More...

John Thomas Smith (1766 - 1833) was a well-known English engraver and artist active in London during the late 18th and early 19th century. Smith was the son of the another important English engraver Jacob Smith. John Smith studied engraving under Sherwin and worked for several years as a drawing master before publishing his first work, the 1781 Antiquities of London and its Environs. His best known work is the 1815 Ancient Topography of London which features thirty-two boldly etched plates in the style of Piranesi. In 1816 Smith took the prestigious position of the Keeper of Prints at the British Museum. One of Smith's most important achievements, though under-appreciated at the time, involved a series of paintings discovered in 1800 on the wainscoting of the House of Commons. When the paintings were revealed by carpenters doing a renovation on the building Smith happened to be on hand. He promptly copied the paintings before they were destroyed by the over-zealous workmen. Smith's drawings are the only work that preserves these unusual historical curiosities. Learn More...