Statistical Cartography in the United States Prior to 1870 and the Role of Joseph C. G. Kennedy and the U.S. Census Office

Abstract

This paper (1) briefly describes and illustrates by representative examples highlights of the development of statistical cartography in Europe and the United States during the first six decades of the 19th century (2) discusses Joseph Camp Griffith Kennedy's role as Superintendent of the Census Office (1845–1865) in recognizing the value of and, at least in an elementary way, compiling the first forms of statistical cartography produced in that Office. Most of the sources used in the preparation of this paper are in the Cartographic Archives Division, the Civil Archives Division, and the Military Archives Division of the National Archives in Washington, D.C.