Jefferson's Only
Published Map

Thomas Jefferson.
A Map of the Country between
Albemarle Sound and Lake Erie,
Comprehending the Whole of Virginia,
Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania.
London: John Stockdale, 1787
Colored, engraved map
Geography & Map Division (7.7)

This map was prepared by Thomas Jefferson as a fold-out illustration for his sole book-length publication, Notes on the State of Virginia. His keen interest in geography and natural history led Jefferson to prepare the geographical text as a response to a series of questions proposed by the secretary to the French Legation in Philadelphia. This text was eventually expanded, revised, and published in various French and English editions, beginning in 1785. Jefferson incorporated his own observations, as well as those of friends and colleagues in the compilation of the map, but the final product was based primarily on existing maps, including the 1751 map prepared by his father Peter Jefferson and Joshua Fry.