zoom_in Click to enlarge

Lloyd A. Brown

▲ ▼

description Lloyd A. Brown Overview

Lloyd A. Brown (1907–1966) was an American librarian and historian of cartography. His best-known book, The Story of Maps (1949), surveys the development of maps and mapmaking from antiquity to the modern era in language aimed at general readers. The work combines technical explanation of surveying, projection, and reproduction with historical context and became a widely used introduction to the history of cartography.

help Lloyd A. Brown FAQ

Who was Lloyd A. Brown?

Lloyd A. Brown was an American librarian and historian of cartography who lived from 1907 to 1966. He wrote for general readers about how maps developed and were used.

What is The Story of Maps?

The Story of Maps is Brown's best-known book, published in 1949. It surveys mapmaking from antiquity through the modern era and explains both technical and historical developments.

Does The Story of Maps focus only on old maps?

No. The book traces mapmaking from ancient cultures to modern cartographic methods. Its scope connects early geographic ideas with later advances in measurement, printing, and map design.

Why is Lloyd A. Brown's work useful to general readers?

Brown explains cartographic history in accessible language rather than writing only for specialists. The book combines technical background with stories about exploration, map use, and the growth of geographic knowledge.