The Geographic Revolution in Early America

Maps, Literacy, and National Identity

By Martin Brückner | Publisher: Omohundro Institute and UNC Press

About the book

The rapid rise in popularity of maps and geography handbooks in the eighteenth century ushered in a new geographic literacy among nonelite Americans. In a pathbreaking and richly illustrated examination of this transformation, Martin Brückner argues that geographic literacy as it was played out in popular literary genres — written, for example, by William Byrd, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Royall Tyler, Charles Brockden Brown, Meriwether Lewis, and William Clark — significantly influenced the formation of identity in America from the 1680s to the 1820s.

Drawing on historical geography, cartography, literary history, and material culture, Brückner recovers a vibrant culture of geography consisting of property plats and surveying manuals, decorative wall maps and school geographies, the nation’s first atlases, and sentimental objects such as needlework samplers. By showing how this geographic revolution affected the production of literature, Brückner demonstrates that the internalization of geography as a kind of language helped shape the literary construction of the modern American subject. Empirically rich and provocative in its readings, The Geographic Revolution in Early America proposes a new, geographical basis for Anglo-Americans' understanding of their character and its expression in pedagogical and literary terms.

Editions of The Geographic Revolution in Early America

Hardcover
ISBN 9780807830000
Paperback
ISBN 9780807856727
EBook
ISBN 9781469601014
EBook
ISBN 9798890878038
EBook
ISBN 9780807838976
PDF
ISBN 9798890878021

Read an Excerpt

The rapid rise in popularity of maps and geography handbooks in the eighteenth century ushered in a new geographic literacy among nonelite Americans. In a pathbreaking and richly illustrated examination of this transformation, Martin Brückner argues that geographic literacy as it was played out in popular literary genres — written, for example, by William Byrd, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Royall Tyler, Charles Brockden Brown, Meriwether Lewis, and William Clark — significantly influenced the formation of identity in America from the 1680s to the 1820s.

Drawing on historical geography, cartography, literary history, and material culture, Brückner recovers a vibrant culture of geography consisting of property plats and surveying manuals, decorative wall maps and school geographies, the nation’s first atlases, and sentimental objects such as needlework samplers. By showing how this geographic revolution affected the production of literature, Brückner demonstrates that the internalization of geography as a kind of language helped shape the literary construction of the modern American subject. Empirically rich and provocative in its readings, The Geographic Revolution in Early America proposes a new, geographical basis for Anglo-Americans' understanding of their character and its expression in pedagogical and literary terms.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Geographic Revolution in Early America about?

The rapid rise in popularity of maps and geography handbooks in the eighteenth century ushered in a new geographic literacy among nonelite Americans. In a pathbreaking and richly illustrated examination of this transformation, Martin Brückner argues that geographic literacy as it was played out in popular literary genres — written, for example, by William Byrd, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Royall Tyler, Charles Brockden Brown, Meriwether Lewis, and William Clark — significantly influenced the formation of identity in America from the 1680s to the 1820s.

Drawing on historical geography, cartography, literary history, and material culture, Brückner recovers a vibrant culture of geography consisting of property plats and surveying manuals, decorative wall maps and school geographies, the nation’s first atlases, and sentimental objects such as needlework samplers. By showing how this geographic revolution affected the production of literature, Brückner demonstrates that the internalization of geography as a kind of language helped shape the literary construction of the modern American subject. Empirically rich and provocative in its readings, The Geographic Revolution in Early America proposes a new, geographical basis for Anglo-Americans' understanding of their character and its expression in pedagogical and literary terms.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Geographic Revolution in Early America?

History and Archaeology > History > History: specific events and topics > Historical geography

Where can I read a sample of The Geographic Revolution in Early America?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807830000

How long is The Geographic Revolution in Early America and how many pages does it have?

The Geographic Revolution in Early America has 296 page(s)

Is The Geographic Revolution in Early America part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?

Yes it is a part of series Published by the Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture and the University of North Carolina Press

Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Geographic Revolution in Early America?

Martin Brückner

Who is the Publisher of the book The Geographic Revolution in Early America?

Omohundro Institute and UNC Press

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

The Geographic Revolution in Early America is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807830000) and paperback(ISBN 9780807856727) and ebook(ISBN 9781469601014) and ebook(ISBN 9798890878038) and ebook(ISBN 9780807838976) and pdf(ISBN 9798890878021)

Where can I buy The Geographic Revolution in Early America online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy The Geographic Revolution in Early America from below

Where can I buy The Geographic Revolution in Early America?