The Man Behind the Maps

John Turner, of the East Lycoming Historical Society, will present “John Melish: The Man Behind the Maps.” John Melish (1771-1822), who was responsible for the famous 1816 “Manifest Destiny” map of the United States, the first map of Lycoming County (1817), and the famous Pennsylvania state map of 1822, is rightly remembered for these and other cartographic accomplishments. However, Melish was also known in his lifetime for other accomplishments, as an author, businessman, geographer, demographer, surveyor, and publisher. This presentation will discuss not only Melish’s better-known map-making efforts but also his other influential work. This is part of the East Lycoming Historical Society’s Community Education Outreach.