Herman Moll (c. 1654 – 1732) was a highly influential British cartographer, engraver, and map publisher originally from Germany or the Netherlands (exact birthplace unknown). Moving to London around 1678, Moll began his career engraving maps for others before establishing his own successful publishing business. He produced and published numerous important atlases, maps, and globes, including “Atlas Geographus” (1708–1717) and “The World Described” (1715), renowned for their detailed, decorative cartouches and political messaging supporting British claims worldwide. Moll also created many maps for voyages and exploration accounts, such as those by William Dampier. His maps balance artistic elegance with geographic detail, making them highly prized. Moll was connected with notable figures like Robert Hooke and Jonathan Swift, and his maps influenced British colonial and maritime policies. His work remains a landmark in early 18th-century cartography.
