August Library Events and Programs

Exhibit: Rare Maps from the Collection of Mitchell King

August 19, 2008- September 19, 2008

Marlene and Nathan Addlestone Library Rotunda and Third Floor Special Collections

The Library is pleased to showcase a beautifully illustrated collection of late 17th century maps of the world by noted cartographers Visscher, Schagen, Overton, Ram, Blaeu, Broen, and Borgonio and published by the Danckerts family of Amsterdam. These stunningly designed and beautifully detailed antique maps are embellished with scientific diagrams, elaborate cartouches and mythological art.

The maps are part of the collection of Mitchell King who bequeathed his library to the College of Charleston upon his death in 1862. Mitchell King who was born in Scotland in 1782, traveled extensively in Prussia, Malta and Sicily before arriving in Charleston in 1805. Mitchell King was a scholar of Latin, French, Spanish, astronomy and mathematics, an attorney and a probrate judge. He also taught at the College of Charleston and served as president of the Board of Trustees at the College and at the Medical University of South Carolina.

In addition to the map display on the first floor, a display case in Special Collections (third floor) contains diagrams by John Harrison from his 1767 book on how to build the chronometer that solved the problem, illustrations of early navigational instruments, tables and computations for determine longitude by using the alternative method of astronomical observations, and maps showing the dramatic differences that Harrison's method facilitated.