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Rigobert Bonne

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Rigobert Bonne (1727–1794) was a prominent French cartographer who served as the Royal Hydrographer at the Dépôt de la Marine. He was a pioneer in moving away from the highly decorative maps of the 17th century, favoring a more practical, accurate, and less ornamental style. Bonne is the namesake of the Bonne projection, an equal-area map projection that minimizes distortion along a central meridian. His extensive work appeared in later editions of the "Encyclopédie" and the "Atlas Encyclopédique," providing functional geographic data for navigators and scholars alike.

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Who was Rigobert Bonne?

Rigobert Bonne was a French cartographer who lived from 1727 to 1794. He served as Royal Hydrographer at the Dépôt de la Marine.

What was Rigobert Bonne's cartographic style?

Bonne favored practical and accurate maps over the highly decorative style common in the seventeenth century. His work reflects a shift toward clearer geographic information.

What was the Dépôt de la Marine?

The Dépôt de la Marine was the French institution connected with official hydrographic and maritime mapping. Bonne's role there placed him close to state navigation work.

Why is Rigobert Bonne important in map history?

He helped represent the move from ornamental map design toward practical cartography. His career combined French royal service with a more measured approach to geographic accuracy.