Have you ever wondered what the tallest active volcano is? Or wanted to compare the height of mountain peaks and the lengths of rivers around the world? So did John Emslie and James Reynolds.

Between 1849 and 1851, topographical illustrator and engraver Emslie and publisher Reynolds designed scientifically based diagrams that measured out these geologic landforms and features in the 12-plate book Geological Diagrams. During the era, chartmakers helped increase accessibility and visibility of the latest scientific research by creating maps, illustrations, and figures depicting natural and man-made wonders around the world.

Here, Emslie and Reynolds compare mountains and volcanoes, including mountains in the Alps and Andes. Featured in <em>Geological Diagrams</em>.
Here, Emslie and Reynolds compare mountains and volcanoes, including mountains in the Alps and Andes. Featured in Geological Diagrams. Courtesy David Rumsey Historical Map Collection

Emslie and Reynolds “take numbers, acute scientific details, and measurements, weaving them into something that’s beautiful to look at and easier to understand,” wrote Sara Barnes in My Modern Met. Part art and part informational chart, these pieces are early scientific infographics that serve as the foundations of the educational diagrams we see today.

<em>Principle eminences of the British Islands,</em> featured in <em>Geological Diagrams</em>.
Principle eminences of the British Islands, featured in Geological Diagrams. Courtesy David Rumsey Historical Map Collection

The 1800s were marked by significant scientific discoveries, from the first observation of Neptune to theories of evolution. As early as the beginning of the 19th century when Alexander von Humboldt created what are considered the first infographics, publishers and cartographers designed a wide array of vivid displays to explain these new and complex ideas to the public. Reynolds’ publishing business in London printed an enormous output over his approximately 30-year career, responding to the popular demand for information on science and engineering developments. Reynolds worked with several cartographers and engravers, but one of his main collaborators was Emslie.

Together, they produced numerous infographics and maps, and were both elected to England’s Royal Geographical Society—a professional organization dedicated to providing accurate cartographic and geographic information. The appeal and charm of their work comes from a combination of formal cartographic techniques, scientific knowledge, and artistic flair.

This diagram compares different waterfalls around the world, showing Gavarnie Falls in France as the tallest of the bunch at 1,260 feet. Featured <em>Geological Diagrams</em>.
This diagram compares different waterfalls around the world, showing Gavarnie Falls in France as the tallest of the bunch at 1,260 feet. Featured Geological Diagrams. Wellcome Library/CC BY 4.0

Colored by hand and highly detailed, Emslie and Reynolds’ 1851 Geological Diagrams is one of their many artistic portfolios. Maps show the distribution of plants, air currents, and religion, while charts ingeniously splay out major rivers, mountains, waterfalls, and even famous historic buildings.

<em>Panoramic Plan of the Principal Rivers and Lakes</em> featured in Reynolds and Emslie's <em>Geological Diagrams.</em>
Panoramic Plan of the Principal Rivers and Lakes featured in Reynolds and Emslie’s Geological Diagrams. Courtesy David Rumsey Historical Map Collection

For example, the panoramic map of principal rivers and lakes line up a selection of the world’s major rivers, visually comparing the lengths of the Colorado, Rhine, Nile, and Amazon rivers. Each are dotted by the major cities that they run through. Above the row of rivers, different lakes including the Dead Sea, the Caspian Sea, Lake Geneva, and Lake Erie are compared. You can see just how expansive the Caspian Sea in Russia and the Black Sea in Turkey are from this view.

This view of principal buildings in the world compares various monuments, including the Pantheon, the Notre Dame, and the Pyramid of Cheops. Featured in <em>Geological Diagrams</em>.
This view of principal buildings in the world compares various monuments, including the Pantheon, the Notre Dame, and the Pyramid of Cheops. Featured in Geological Diagrams. Courtesy David Rumsey Historical Map Collection

In addition to the 12 engraved plates in Geological Diagrams, Emslie and Reynolds also worked together on other volumes and single issues of optical charts, school atlases, and astronomical diagrams. Emslie shows the differences between astronomical and geographical clocks, the earth’s revolution around the sun, and the topographical surface of the moon. Some of the astronomical maps were made transparent, allowing viewers to amplify and highlight celestial bodies and constellations by shining a light through the back.

Sheppard's Geographical & Astronomical Clock. Published in 1844.
Sheppard’s Geographical & Astronomical Clock. Published in 1844. Wellcome Library/CC BY 4.0

Currently, a selection of Reynolds and Emslie’s astronomical diagrams from the 1850s can be viewed in person at the David Rumsey Map Center at Stanford University’s Green Library. Explore more of these early scientific infographics below.   

Distribution of the currents of air and variable winds over the world. <em>Geological Diagrams</em>.
Distribution of the currents of air and variable winds over the world. Geological Diagrams. Courtesy David Rumsey Historical Map Collection
Geological map of the world.
Geological map of the world. Courtesy David Rumsey Historical Maps Collection
Ethnological map showing the distribution of the human race. On the bottom of the map, Emslie and Reynolds also show the distribution of prevailing religions, revealing that most of the globe remains 'pagan.'
Ethnological map showing the distribution of the human race. On the bottom of the map, Emslie and Reynolds also show the distribution of prevailing religions, revealing that most of the globe remains ‘pagan.’ Courtesy David Rumsey Historical Maps Collection
Geographical diagram of the earth.
Geographical diagram of the earth. Courtesy David Rumsey Historical Map Collection
Diagram illustrating the earth's annual revolution around the sun.
Diagram illustrating the earth’s annual revolution around the sun. Courtesy David Rumsey Historical Maps Collection
<em>Transparent chart of Heavens for latitude of Great Britain.</em> Published in the 1851 <em>Astronomical Diagrams</em>.
Transparent chart of Heavens for latitude of Great Britain. Published in the 1851 Astronomical Diagrams. Courtesy David Rumsey Historical Map Collection
Here the map is backlit, highlighting principal stars.
Here the map is backlit, highlighting principal stars. Courtesy David Rumsey Historical Map Collection
Telescopic appearance of the Moon. You can also shine a light through the back of the page to see more details.
Telescopic appearance of the Moon. You can also shine a light through the back of the page to see more details. Courtesy David Rumsey Historical Maps Collection
<em>Methods of Ascertaining the Longitude.</em> Published in 1851.
Methods of Ascertaining the Longitude. Published in 1851. Wellcome Library/CC BY 4.0
<em>The Theory of the Seasons.</em> Published in 1851.
The Theory of the Seasons. Published in 1851. Wellcome Library/CC BY 4.0

Map Monday highlights interesting and unusual cartographic pursuits from around the world and through time. Read more Map Monday posts.