Arthur H. Robinson

Arthur H. Robinson was a highly influential American geographer and cartographer. A cartographer is a professional who specializes in the science and art of making maps. Robinson spent his career studying how maps function as tools for communication. He was a professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison from 1947 until his retirement in 1980. His work helped turn cartography into a respected academic discipline. He believed that maps should be designed as integrated units. This means every part of the map should be clear and legible. No single item should be more prominent than it needs to be.

Robinson developed unique theories about how people interact with maps. In his 1976 book, *The Nature of Maps*, he co-authored a new term. He called the person using a map a "map percipient." A map percipient is a user who interacts with a map in a discerning way. Robinson wanted map makers to view maps as communication devices. He believed there must be a deep connection between the maker and the percipient. He also challenged old traditions in the field. For example, he argued that north does not always have to be at the top. He believed map design should be based on function rather than just convention.

Robinson's early life took him across several different countries. He was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on January 5, 1915. His parents, James Howard Robinson and Elizabeth Peavey, were Americans. During his childhood, he lived in Great Britain. He later moved to the United States for his higher education. He earned a B.A. from Miami University in Ohio in 1936. He then earned a master's degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1938. Finally, he completed his Ph.D. at Ohio State University in 1947.

During World War II, Robinson held a critical leadership role. He served as the director of the map division for the Office of Strategic Services, or OSS. When he joined in 1941, the profession of cartography was still evolving. The group of geographers he led developed their specific mapping techniques while on the job. Robinson oversaw the creation of 5,000 hand-drawn maps during this period. He also served as the chief U.S. map officer at major Allied conferences. These conferences took place in Quebec and Cairo during 1943 and 1944. For his service, the United States Army awarded him the Legion of Merit in 1946.

One of his most famous projects was a massive physical map. Robinson and his team designed a 50-inch globe for President Franklin Roosevelt.

This object became known as "The President's Globe." A copy was given to Winston Churchill as a gift. A third version was used by George Marshall and Henry Stimson. The fine details of the globe can be seen in its decorative elements.

In 1961, Robinson achieved a major breakthrough in map projection. A company called Rand McNally wanted a new type of world map. They needed a projection that was uninterrupted and had limited distortion. They also wanted it to be pleasing to the eye of general viewers. Robinson could not find an existing map that met these specific criteria. He was commissioned to design a brand-new version. He used an iterative process to create a "pseudo-cylindrical" projection.

This design sought a compromise between distortions in area and distortions in distance. This helped create a more natural visualization of the Earth.

The Robinson projection became widely used across the world. National Geographic adopted his projection for their world maps in 1988. They continued to use it until 1998, when they switched to the Winkel tripel projection. Robinson's academic influence was also massive. He helped the University of Wisconsin–Madison establish cartography degrees for both undergraduates and master's students. The program has since graduated more than 100 master's students and 20 doctoral students. Many of these graduates went on to start respected cartography programs at other universities. Today, the university's map library is named in his honor to celebrate his legacy.