Random new stuff, and a Famous Geographer, George Washington?

I have enjoyable geography news.  I recently received a letter from my college the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs that I graduated first in my class.   I guess that means I am the number 1 geographer from UCCS in the Spring of 2011.  That is awesome!

On another note:  I am going to get to put some mapping techniques to work this year.  I was elected to my local precinct leader.  So now it's time to take out the precinct map, plan out some routes and see if I can improve the foot movement in my area.  Maybe even update the map?   We will see. I am sure I will talk more about this in the future.

Speaking of politics, On a serious note: Today I will write about George Washington, Surveyor.

George Washington, Surveyor

Did you know George Washington was a surveyor and mapmaker? Not kidding.  He started mapping as a child, but he continued to map for the military while in the Virginia Militia, and made many maps while fighting the British.  The George Washington Atlas as published in 1932, it features 110 maps drawn or annotated by Washington. 

His childhood maps where published as "School Boy Copy Book".  He studied survey and mapping under William Fairfax as a teen.

After working for William Fairfax Washington (at age 17) was appointed county surveyor for Culpeper and newly created frontier. 

There are over 199 surveys, credited to Washington. 

Above: A Plan of My Farm on Little Huntg. Creek & Potomak, R. manuscript Map 1766 Geography & Map Division

It was Washington's make making skill the lead to his involvement in the French and Indian War.  Washington knew the back country and was considered best suited to deliver a letter to the French.  To disastrous effect.  Do you know what happened between Washington and the French, some historians say it started the war.  

Just thing the First President of the United States of America was a geographer, a military commander and farmer.

Well I don't want to still the thunder of a history topic but if this interests you the following webpage talks about Washington's maps in greater detail.

If you want to know a lot about the subject check out this nice page all about Washington's maps.

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/gmdhtml/gwmaps.html