John Russell (c. 1750 – 1829)
was a British cartographer active in London. He apprenticed as a goldsmith before he turned to engraving and printing. John Russell employed the use of advanced surveying techniques and drew and engraved maps for several major publishers of his period including William Guthrie (see No. 95). His maps were highly regarded for their precision, attention for detail and artistic quality. His work primarily focused on producing accurate and detailed maps of various regions, including Scandinavia and Iceland. Nothing more is known about his life.
Map details
Information about the source of this map is to be found above the upper neatline: „Engraved for the Compendious Geographical Grammar.“ Obviously the map is is taken from one of the numerous editions of William Guthrie‘s „Geographical, Historical, and Commercial Grammar“ which was edited first in 1790.
Its title is set in an unusual rectangular frame in the lower right corner. Underneath the author is named: “Russell del: et Sculp.“ The map shows Scandinavia, the Baltic region, „Russia in Europe“, Poland, the northern part of Prussia and Germany, the Faroe, Shetland and Orkney Islands and the eastern part of Scotland.
In the upper left corner is a rectangular inset map of Iceland. The text above says „Iceland is drawn on the same Scale“. Along the coastline there are only few place names and only three in the interior of the island: the bishoprics Skalholt and Holar („Hola“) without church symbols and „Mt. Hekla“ with a volcano nearby.
The Arctic Circle is drawn accurately not only in the main part of the map but also in Iceland but the island Grimsey which it crosses is missing on this map.
