About Secret Mapping: Mapping Secrecy
All maps contain some kind of secret to be uncovered, from how to get from A to B to clandestine maps of treasure, escapes and invasions. Yet all secrets are in some way like maps, withholding then, at other times, revealing concealed information.
In this introductory talk Professor Jerry Brotton ranges from the Renaissance to our current global moment, to explore the surprisingly mutual relationship between maps and secrecy.
Live recording of WHAT'S YOUR MAP? Podcast
Following Jerry's talk, he will be making a very special live recording for the acclaimed podcast that he hosts, WHAT’S YOUR MAP? Jerry will meet two wonderful guests, each of whom are bringing a map to explore.
Geographer, author and presenter Nicholas Crane will be in conversation with Jerry about James Wyld's 1872 map of Salisbury Plain, which connects Nicholas' own epic walking journey across the UK with the discreet War Department takeover of a Wiltshire parish. Next, Jerry will be joined by the UK’s Chief Scout, explorer Dwayne Fields, who will be telling us about espionage through insects and the maps drawn by Baden Powell – and the importance of imagination and adventure!
These conversations will be followed by an audience Q&A.
This event it is part of a series of events to support our exhibition, Secret Maps.
Your support
The British Library is a charity. Your support helps us open up a world of knowledge and inspiration for everyone. Please consider adding a donation to your basket.
Jerry Brotton
Jerry Brotton is a writer, broadcaster, curator and international authority on map history.
More
He is Professor of Renaissance Studies at Queen Mary University of London. He has written several books on map including the bestselling A History of the World in Twelve Maps (2012). He has written and presented many BBC TV and radio programmes, and is presenter of the podcast, What’s Your Map? His latest book is Four Points of the Compass: the Unexpected History of Direction (2024).
Nicholas Crane
Nicholas Crane is a geographer, author and cartographic expert.
More
He is the recipient of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society’s 'Mungo Park Medal' in recognition of outstanding contributions to geographical knowledge, and of the Royal Geographical Society’s Ness Award for popularising geography and the understanding of Britain. Nick has been the lead presenter on more than 80 BBC films, including the acclaimed Map Man, Great British Journeys, Town, Britannia and Coast. Between 2015 and 2018, Nick was the elected President of the Royal Geographical Society.
Dwayne Fields
Dwayne Fields is an explorer, broadcaster, and the UK's Chief Scout.
More
He is an advocate for inspiring people to get outdoors and explore the world around them – with a particular focus on encouraging young people growing up in inner cities to get out and experience nature and a life with which they have not previously been engaged. In 2010, Dwayne became the first black Briton to walk over 400 miles to the Magnetic North Pole. In 2018 was presented with the Royal Geographical Society's ‘Geographical Award’ for empowering young people to explore the world. Along with explorer Phoebe Smith, he co-founded the WeTwo Foundation – an organisation that is dedicated to organising life-changing adventures for underprivileged young people.
About WHAT'S YOUR MAP?
Explore our endlessly fascinating world in the WHAT’S YOUR MAP? podcast – an Oculi Mundi exploration hosted by historian and writer Jerry Brotton. Immerse yourself in the world of maps and mapping, as Jerry meets a range of guests from around the world who share their stories and the maps that inspire them. Combining personal narratives with historical context, WHAT'S YOUR MAP? takes you on a fun and highly eclectic journey of discovery.
For a truly captivating experience, listeners are invited to enrich their journeys online by following along at Oculi-Mundi.com/podcast. Each episode has an interactive webpage featuring high-resolution images of the maps, detailed guest profiles, and exciting rabbit-holes about each episode’s themes. This unique visual companion to the podcast audio brings the stories and maps vividly to life.
WHAT'S YOUR MAP? is available on all major podcast platforms. Nominated in the Best Educational Podcast category at this years' British Podcast Awards!
This podcast is brought to you by Oculi Mundi, the online home of The Sunderland Collection of maps and atlases. View the Collection online at oculi-mundi.com and follow on Instagram @oculimundimaps.
WHAT'S YOUR MAP? is produced by David Prest and Emily Finch of the award-winning studio Whistledown Productions.
View The Sunderland Collection online at oculi-mundi.com and follow The Sunderland Collection on Instagram @oculimundimaps.
Arriving at the venue
This event takes place in the British Library Knowledge Centre. The doors will open at 13.30.
Please arrive no later than 15 minutes before the start time of this event. If you have specific access requirements please email customer@bl.uk
Attending the event online
If you book an online ticket, you will receive the viewing link on the morning of the event. You can either watch the event live or during the next 7 days on catch up.
You might also like
Relaxed Event: Secret Maps, Dungeons and Dragons
Explore our Secret Maps exhibition with a Dungeons & Dragons twist at this event aimed at neurodivergent young people aged 11 – 18 years.
Family Workshop: Pandora in Puzzlevale
Get ready to create some map based puzzles.
Family Workshop: Shiva, Lord of the Dance
Step into a whirlwind of stories and songs.