Harrison, Richard Edes

Richard Edes Harrison (1901-1994) was an influential American cartographer known for revolutionizing the art of mapmaking in the mid-20th century. He was the house cartographer of Fortune and a consultant at Life for almost two decades. His innovative, perspective-based maps emphasized a three-dimensional, bird's-eye view, offering a novel representation of geography. Harrison's maps gained prominence during World War II, where his work helped the American public understand global events. His distinctive use of projection and perspective challenged traditional map conventions, blending art and geography to create compelling visuals. Harrison's contributions helped change how people perceived the world, making geography more accessible and engaging for general audiences. He played a key role in "challenging cartographic perspectives and attempting to change spatial thinking on the everyday level during America’s rise to superpower status". His maps have been described as "critical to the history of American cartography."