About John Cary
Lived 1755 – 1835 (aged 80). John Cary was a British cartographer, printmaker, mapseller, printseller, graphic artist and globe maker.
John Cary (c. 1754 – 1835) was an English cartographer.
Life Cary served his apprenticeship as an engraver in London, before setting up his own business in the Strand in 1783. He soon gained a reputation for his maps and globes, his atlas, The New and Correct English Atlas published in 1787, becoming a standard reference work in England.
In 1794 Cary was commissioned by the Postmaster General to survey England's roads. This resulted in Cary's New Itinerary (1798), a map of all the major roads in England and Wales. He also produced Ordnance Survey maps prior to 1805.
In his later life he collaborated on geological maps with the geologist William Smith. His business was eventually taken over by G. F. Cruchley (1822–1880).
Works Cary's major works include:
Actual Survey of the country fifteen miles around London (1786) New and Correct English Atlas (1787) Camden's Britannia (1789) - maps for 1789 and 1806 editions Cary's Survey of the High Roads from London (1790) Cary's Traveller's Companion (1790) New Maps of England and Wales with part of Scotland (1794)
Cary's New Itinerary (1798) A New Map of Scotland (1801) New British Atlas (1805), with John Stockdale A New map of chinese & independent Tartary (1806) Cary's New Universal Atlas (1808) Cary's English Atlas (1809) New Elementary Atlas (1813) Cary's New Itinerary (1817)
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Important facts
People in John Cary's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was John Cary?
English cartographer and engraver (1755–1835)
When was John Cary born?
John Cary was born on 23 February 1755 in Corsley.
When did John Cary die?
John Cary died on 16 August 1835 in Mortlake.
What was John Cary's occupation?
John Cary was a cartographer, printmaker, mapseller, printseller, graphic artist and globe maker.
What nationality was John Cary?
John Cary was British.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Cary. https://biography.guide/john-cary-cartographer/
MLA: "John Cary." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-cary-cartographer/.
Chicago: "John Cary." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-cary-cartographer/.
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