Cambridge Seminars in the History of Cartography: The cartographic commissions of John, 2nd Duke of Montagu (1690-1749)'

Dr Jana C. Schuster is an architectural historian, working for Historic England as Inspector of Historic Buildings and Areas and lecturing on British architecture and art at NYU in London. Her PhD (University of Cambridge) focused on the architectural patronage and life of the 2nd Duke of Montagu and was written in partnership with the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry’s estate and collections. She holds an MSt in Building History from Cambridge and an MA in Art History and Andient History from St Andrews. She was Giles Worsley Research Fellow at the British School at Rome in 2016 and co-founded and convenes the Cambridge Architectural History Seminars.

This talk will show highlights from the remarkable cartography collection of John, 2nd Duke of Montagu (1690-1749). It will discuss how the collection was developed and why, how Montagu used and managed his maps, and the duke’s significance as a patron of cartography. Montagu’s fascination with maps will be contextualised among his wider personal and professional interests, in particular his architectural works and military career.