Previous   Next
Home » Images » 0073 Pictures From History » CPA0036103

India: A French map of the Indian subcontinent and its myriad kingdoms (though most had fallen to ruin over 100 years prior) by Nicolas Sanson (1600-1667), 1652

India: A French map of the Indian subcontinent and its myriad kingdoms (though most had fallen to ruin over 100 years prior) by Nicolas Sanson (1600-1667), 1652

Nicolas Sanson (1600-1667) was a French cartographer and geographer, credited by some as the creator of French geography and the father of French cartography. Born to an old Picardy family of Scottish descent in Abbeville, Nicolas was educated by Jesuits at Amiens.

In 1627, Sanson attracted the attention of Cardinal Richelieu due to a map of Gaul that he had made while only eighteen. Impressed by Sanson, Richelieu made him royal geographer and tutor to King Louis XIII and Prince Louis XIV. He was made a councillor of state by Louis XIII, who was fond of him, and published many maps of importance. He died in 1667 in Paris, and his geographic work was continued by two of his sons.

Quick links to other images in this gallery: