Thomas Jefferson Encyclopedia

Map of the United States of North America (1802)

Jefferson used a copy of this map in planning the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Arrowsmith map of North America, courtesy of Library of Congress.
Object Type
Map
Date Made
1802
Artist Maker
Aaron Arrowsmith (1750-1823)
PlaceMade
London
Materials
engraved on 4 sheets
Dimensions
129.5 × 143.5 (51 × 56 1/2 in.)
Place Used
Washington, DC and Monticello (Jefferson's copy, unlocated)
Credit Line
Image courtesy of Library of Congress

Jefferson purchased a copy pf this map in 1803 for use in planning the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Considered the most accurate representation to date of the land west of the Mississippi, the map shows the United States, parts of Canada, and the Louisiana Territory.1 In his order for the map, Jefferson wrote that he would prefer the English edition, "because I know the engraving is superiorly well done."2

- Text from Stein, Worlds, 393

Further Sources

Footnotes

  1. Seymour I. Schwartz and Ralph E. Ehrenberg, The Mapping of America (New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1980), 221.
  2. Jefferson to James Cheetham, June 17, 1803, in PTJ, 40:549. Transcription available at Founders Online.