John Lodge Cowley facts for kids
John Lodge Cowley (born in 1719 in the United Kingdom, died in 1797) was a very smart English person. He was a cartographer (someone who makes maps), a geologist (someone who studies rocks and the Earth), and a mathematician (someone who studies numbers and shapes).
He taught mathematics at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich in London for many years, from 1761 to 1773. In 1768, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society, which is a big honor for scientists.
Map Making and Geography
John Cowley was well-known for his math skills. But he was also a very important geographer. He was even the official mapmaker for King George II!
He was especially good at making maps of the different counties of the United Kingdom. His most famous work was called Counties of England.
Cowley made many maps, and they were often very detailed. Sometimes his name was on the map, but other times the name of Emanuel Bowen appeared. Bowen was the person who engraved, or carved, the maps onto plates for printing.
Another important book he wrote was A new and easy introduction to the study of geography. This book was published by Thomas Cox and James Hodges. It was written in a question-and-answer style, with nice maps added later.
John Cowley also worked with Robert Dodsley for several years. Because of this, some maps are known as "Dodsley/Cowley" maps. He also created amazing drawings of star patterns on glass globes made by Thomas Heath.
Books on Geometry
John Cowley also wrote several books to help people learn about solid geometry. These books even had cool fold-up shapes inside!
Some of his geometry books include:
- Geometry Made Easy (published in 1752)
- An Appendix to Euclid's Elements (published in 1758)
- The Theory of Perspective Demonstrated (published in 1765)
He also taught geometry to students at the St. Martin's Lane Academy. This was a drawing school started by William Hogarth and John Ellys.
Later Life and Family
John Cowley passed away in Walworth, Surrey. He had a daughter named Mrs. Johnstone. She loved science just like her father. Over the years, she taught many important people in Britain how to use globes and maps.
See also
- List of cartographers
- History of cartography
- Willem Blaeu
- Joan Blaeu
- Glass celestial sphere engraved by Cowley in 1739, in the Science Museum's collection, London
Images for kids
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Map of north Africa taken from A New and easy introduction to the study of geography, J.L.Cowley
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Map of Russia
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An Appendix to Euclid's Elements in Seven Books
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