1881 Thomas Sedgwick Steele Map of Maine

Thomas Sedgwick Steele (June 11, 1845 - September 9, 1903) was an American outdoorsman, writer, photographer and artist active in the latter half of the 19th century. Steele was born in Hartford Connecticut on June 11, 1845. As a young man he partnered with his father and established himself as a jeweler. While enjoying mild success in this profession, Steele's real passions were writing, painting, drawing. Steele published his first books, "Canoe and Camera" and "Paddle and Portage" in the early 1880s. These, like all of Steele's works were lavishly illustrated with engravings derived from his own paintings. They were also issued with a map of some historical importance as it represented one of the first maps ever created specifically with canoeists in mind. Steele formally gave up the jewelry business in 1887 to pursue his artistic passions. He went on to join the Boston Art Club, study in Paris with Marcius Sidmonds, and travel throughout Europe and North Africa. As an artist Steele developed a realist style and most of his work focused wildlife (specifically fish) and still life images of fruit. He is also known to have dabbled in impressionism and luminism, but neither style inspired him. Though he married twice, Steele fathered no known children. He died in Swampscott, MA on September 9th, 1903. More by this mapmaker...