Best known as a cartographer, Ogilby led a varied career. About 1619 he was apprenticed to John Draper, a London dancing-master. He may have danced in Jonson's masque 'The Gypsies Metamorphosed' in 1621, although an injury which left him lame scuppered this phase of his career. He was admitted freeman of the Merchant Taylors' Company on 6 July 1629, and taught dancing to Ralph Hopton's sisters. He moved to Ireland in the summer of 1633, under the patronage of Viscount Wentworth, later earl of Strafford, to become master of the revels. Ogilby was responsible for the opening in 1637 of Ireland's first theatre, the New Theatre in Dublin's Werburgh Street, and for the development of the theatre's company. This ceased with the Irish rising in 1641. After service to the earl of Ormond, Ogilby returned to England about 1644. He married Christian Hunsdon on 14 March 1650, in London. From 1649, Ogilby began publishing translations: of Virgil, Aesop's Fables and Homer. His interests brought him into contact with some of the great men of the age, such as Boyle, Wren and Hooke, and his appointment as an assistant surveyor after the Great Fire of London saw him becoming interested in publishing atlases.
Ogilby secured the title of His Majesty's Cosmographer in 1671, and published his opus ' Britannia … an illustration of the kingdom of England and dominion of Wales: by a geographical and historical description of the principal roads thereof' in 1675. His surveys helped to standardize the mile at 1760 yards throughout the kingdom. After his death in London, his work was continued by his relative William Morgan.
Ogilby secured the title of His Majesty's Cosmographer in 1671, and published his opus ' Britannia … an illustration of the kingdom of England and dominion of Wales: by a geographical and historical description of the principal roads thereof' in 1675. His surveys helped to standardize the mile at 1760 yards throughout the kingdom. After his death in London, his work was continued by his relative William Morgan.
Best known as a cartographer, Ogilby led a varied career. About 1619 he was apprenticed to John Draper, a London dancing-master. He may have danced in Jonson's masque 'The Gypsies Metamorphosed' in 1621, although an injury which left him lame scuppered this phase of his career. He was admitted freeman of the Merchant Taylors' Company on 6 July 1629, and taught dancing to Ralph Hopton's sisters. He moved to Ireland in the summer of 1633, under the patronage of Viscount Wentworth, later earl of Strafford, to become master of the revels. Ogilby was responsible for the opening in 1637 of Ireland's first theatre, the New Theatre in Dublin's Werburgh Street, and for the development of the theatre's company. This ceased with the Irish rising in 1641. After service to the earl of Ormond, Ogilby returned to England about 1644. He married Christian Hunsdon on 14 March 1650, in London. From 1649, Ogilby began publishing translations: of Virgil, Aesop's Fables and Homer. His interests brought him into contact with some of the great men of the age, such as Boyle, Wren and Hooke, and his appointment as an assistant surveyor after the Great Fire of London saw him becoming interested in publishing atlases.
Ogilby secured the title of His Majesty's Cosmographer in 1671, and published his opus ' Britannia … an illustration of the kingdom of England and dominion of Wales: by a geographical and historical description of the principal roads thereof' in 1675. His surveys helped to standardize the mile at 1760 yards throughout the kingdom. After his death in London, his work was continued by his relative William Morgan.
Ogilby secured the title of His Majesty's Cosmographer in 1671, and published his opus ' Britannia … an illustration of the kingdom of England and dominion of Wales: by a geographical and historical description of the principal roads thereof' in 1675. His surveys helped to standardize the mile at 1760 yards throughout the kingdom. After his death in London, his work was continued by his relative William Morgan.
Advertisement
Advertisement
