John Speed

John Speed

John Speed (1552-1629) was an English cartographer, historian, and antiquarian. He is best known for his atlas, The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine, which was the first atlas of the British Isles. Speed's atlas was published in 1611 and contained maps of all the counties of England and Wales, as well as maps of Scotland and Ireland. The atlas was an instant success and was reprinted numerous times. Speed's maps were highly detailed and accurate, and he used a unique style of engraving that made his maps stand out from those of his contemporaries. In addition to his atlas, Speed was also a prolific writer and historian. He wrote several books on the history of England, including The History of Great Britaine and The History of Great Britaine Continued. These books were highly regarded in their time and are still considered important works of English history. Speed was also an antiquarian, and he spent much of his life collecting and studying old documents and artifacts. He was particularly interested in the history of London and wrote a book called A Prospect of the Most Famous Parts of the World, which contained detailed descriptions and illustrations of the city. Overall, John Speed was a highly influential figure in English cartography, history, and antiquarianism. His atlas and books were widely read and admired, and his maps and illustrations continue to be studied and appreciated today.

English, cartographer, historian, antiquarian, atlas, The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine, maps, engraving, accuracy, writer, The History of Great Britaine, antiquarianism, London, A Prospect of the Most Famous Parts

— John Thompson

CITATION : "John Thompson. 'John Speed.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/define/john-speed?E=253210 (Accessed on October 14, 2026)"