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William Faden

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description William Faden Overview

William Faden (1749-1836) was an English cartographer, engraver, and map publisher who served as Geographer to King George III. Working from London, he issued military, topographical, urban, and regional maps, including detailed mapping related to Britain and North America. His publications documented territories and campaigns during a period of imperial conflict and expanding survey work. Surviving Faden maps are used by historians studying eighteenth-century geography and warfare.

help William Faden FAQ

Who appointed William Faden as Geographer to the King?

William Faden was appointed Geographer to King George III, reflecting his high standing in the British cartographic community. He took over the London map business originally established by his mentor, Thomas Jefferys.

What types of maps did William Faden publish?

Faden was renowned for issuing detailed military and topographical maps, particularly concerning North America and the British Empire. His publishing house produced highly accurate urban plans and regional surveys that remain historically valuable today.

When did William Faden live and work?

William Faden lived from 1749 to 1836, operating his prominent London-based cartography firm during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. His career spanned critical periods of global conflict, including the American Revolutionary War.

What was William Faden's relationship to Thomas Jefferys?

Faden originally partnered with Thomas Jefferys, a leading English geographer, before fully taking over the business after Jefferys's death in 1771. He later renamed the firm William Faden and continued its legacy of high-quality map engraving and publishing.