1829 Burr Map of Albany and Schenectady Counties, New York

David Hugh Burr (August 18, 1803 - December 25, 1875) of one of the first and most important truly American cartographers and map publishers. Burr was born in Bridgeport Connecticut in August of 1803. In 1822 Burr moved to Kingsboro, New York to study law. A year and a half later he was admitted to the New York Bar association. Burr must have questioned his choice of careers because shortly after being admitted to the Bar, he joined the New York State Militia. Though largely untrained in the art of surveying, Burr was assigned to work under Surveyor General of New York, Simeon De Witt, to survey several New York Roadways. Seeing a window of opportunity, Burr was able to negotiate with the governor of New York at the time, De Witt Clinton, to obtain copies of other New York survey work in order to compile a map and Atlas of the state of New York. Recognizing the need for quality survey work of its territory, the government of New York heartily endorsed and financed Burr's efforts. The resulting 1829 Atlas of the State of New York was the second atlas of an individual U.S. state and one of the most important state atlases ever produced. Burr went on to issue other maps both of New York and of the United States in general. In cooperation with publishing firm of Illman & Pillbrow, he produced an important New Universal Atlas and, with J.H. Colton, several very important maps of New York City. In recognition of this work, Burr was appointed both "Topographer to the Post office" and "Geographer to the House of Representatives of the United States". Later, in 1855, Burr was assigned to the newly created position of Surveyor General to the State of Utah. Burr retired from the position and from cartographic work in general in 1857 when light of some of his financial misdeeds and frauds came to light. He was accused of submitting false expense reports and underpaying employees, among other indiscretions. More by this mapmaker...

Ralph Rawdon (December 19, 1793 - September 12, 1877) was an American engraver and printer. Born in Connecticut, Rawdon established his engraving and printing firm in Albany, New York, in 1816. He formed a partnership with Vistus batch of Willismtown, Massachusetts, in 1818 that lasted until 1822. He then formed Rawdon, Clark, and Company with Asahel Clark. Rawdon's brother, Freeman Rawdon (August 18, 1802 - September 21, 1859) founded his own engraving and printing firm in New York City sometime after 1825. Freeman Rawdon formed a partnership with Neziah Wright in 1828 and established Rawdon, Wright, and Company. The Rawdon brothers merged their firms on March 1, 1832, and formed Rawdon, Wright, Hatch, and Company. At the time of the merger, Tracy R. Edson joined the firm as its business administrator and ran the company's New Orleans office until 1847. He also played an outsize role in establishing the firm in Philadelphia, Cincinnati, and Boston. Edson was transferred to the New York City office in 1847 to run the entire firm. The company's name was changed to Rawdon, Wright, Hatch, and Edson. The firm won the U.S. government contract to print the first American postage stamps from 1847 - 1851. Rawdon, Wright, Hatch, and Edson merged with seven other firms in 1858 to form the American Bank Note Company. Ralph Rawdon is largely remembered for his role in the founding of the American Bank Note Company and little detail remains about his personal life. Learn More...

Freeman Rawdon (August 18, 1802 - September 21, 1859) was an American artist, engraver, and publisher. Born in Connecticut, Rawdon founded his engraving and printing firm sometime after 1825, likely in New York City. He partnered with Neziah Wright in 1828 and established Rawdon, Wright, and Company of New York City. Rawdon's brother Ralph Rawdon (December 19, 1793 - September 12, 1877) founded his own printing and engraving firm in Albany in 1816, and formed several partnerships between 1818 and 1832. The Rawdon brothers merged their firms on March 1, 1832, and formed Rawdon, Wright, Hatch, and Company. At the time of the merger, Tracy R. Edson joined the firm as its business administrator and ran the company's New Orleans office until 1847. He also played an outsize role in establishing the firm in Philadelphia, Cincinnati, and Boston. Edson was transferred to the New York City office in 1847 to run the entire firm. The company's name was changed to Rawdon, Wright, Hatch, and Edson. The firm won the U.S. government contract to print the first American postage stamps from 1847 - 1851. Rawdon, Wright, Hatch, and Edson merged with seven other firms in 1858 to form the American Bank Note Company. Learn More...