Horwood – Richard ( c,1758 – 1803 )
The outcome of nine years work Richard Horwood's map of London was published in 32 sheets. On a scale of 26 inches to the mile every road, alley and garden was shown. The largest map of the city ever printed, where possible every house number was also shown.
Horwood struggled to finance the project, and a variety of options were offered to potential subscribers to create the work. Initially he charged £5. 5 s per map but this was to expensive for most people. In 1795 having completed only 12 sheets the project stalled. It took another three years before he was able to continue and complete the work, with a loan from the Phoenix fire office to which the final map contains a dedication. The final maps were completed and the whole work published in 1799.
Financial problems stalked Horwood and he died in 1803, just 4 years after the completion of his map of London. William Faden, one of London's leading publishers purchased Horwood's plates and revised them with subsequent editions 1807, 1813 and 1819.
For the historian, Richard Horwood's plan of London is considered one of the finest works ever produced in the 18th century.
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Map size: 50 x 55cm
