Geographical Thinking: E108 – Exploring The Library of Lost Maps

How does a map get lost? In this episode of Geographical Thinking, host Michelle Brake welcomes Professor James Cheshire to explore The Library of Lost Maps (forthcoming November 2025 from Bloomsbury Publishing), Cheshire’s deep dive into a collection of once-famous cartographic gems that have faded from public memory. From beautifully crafted atlases to practical wartime schematics, these maps reveal the values, fears and dreams of the societies that made them. Plus, hear how modern tools like geographic information systems (GIS) are reshaping our understanding of space and place. 0:00 – Episode summary 0:40 – Intros 3:14 – Roger Tomlinson & University College London 8:04 – James Cheshire’s previous books 12:39 – The Library of Lost Maps 17:33 – Choosing what maps to include 22:27 – What do maps tell us about their makers 27:12 – Maps that stood out 30:27 – Shift from paper to digital 35:47 – Tools and techniques over time 39:38 – Appreciation for cartography 44:20 – What’s next? 47:11 – Outro We’re posting new episodes full of inspiring geography stories at least monthly. Subscribe to Esri Canada’s channel so you never miss a new episode of Geographical Thinking! Looking for resources on what we discussed in today’s podcast? Check them out below! Pre-order The Library of Lost Maps: (https://libraryoflostmaps.com/buy/) Find out more about The Library of Lost Maps (forthcoming November 2025), a beautifully illustrated book that uncovers forgotten cartographic treasures. About Professor James Cheshire: (https://jcheshire.com/about/) Learn more about James’s background, research interests and his work at the intersection of geography, data visualization and cartography. Books by Professor James Cheshire: (https://jcheshire.com/books/) Explore James’s published works, including Atlas of the Invisible and Where the Animals Go, which blend data, design and storytelling. University College London (UCL) PhD student changes how we look at the world: (https://www.ucl.ac.uk/made-at-ucl/stories/ucl-phd-student-changes-how-we-look-world) Discover how Dr. Roger Tomlinson’s early work at UCL helped shape public understanding of geography and his development of GIS. UCL Lunch Hour Lecture: The Library of Lost Maps: (https://www.ucl.ac.uk/events/events/2025/nov/lunch-hour-lecture-library-lost-maps) Attend this virtual lecture on November 11, 2025, where James discusses the stories behind lost maps and their relevance today.