Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This event, originally titled 'Secret Mapping: Mapping Secrecy', took place on 25 October 2025. The information below is correct as of the publication date.
All maps contain some kind of secret to be uncovered, from how to get from A to B to clandestine maps of treasure, escapes and invasions. Yet all secrets are in some way like maps, withholding and then, at other times, revealing concealed information.
In an introductory talk which launched the Secret Maps events programme, Professor Jerry Brotton took us from the Renaissance through to our current global moment, to explore the surprisingly mutual relationship between maps and secrecy.
This event accompanied the British Library exhibition Secret Maps (24 October 2025 – 18 January 2026).
To join more online and in person events visit our website: events.bl.uk
Discover more of our past events at our playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVRvouzCZmFeI-PSlsaLHzJwtEkKshATx&si=94-9DoaNCNTFAyQc
Speaker Bio:
Jerry Brotton is a writer, broadcaster, curator and international authority on map history. He is Professor of Renaissance Studies at Queen Mary University of London. He has written several books on map including the bestselling A History of the World in Twelve Maps (2012). He has written and presented many BBC TV and radio programmes, and is presenter of the podcast, What’s Your Map? His latest book is Four Points of the Compass: the Unexpected History of Direction (2024).
The British Library is a charity. Your support helps us open up a world of knowledge and inspiration for everyone. Donate today: support.bl.uk/Donate
This event, originally titled 'Secret Mapping: Mapping Secrecy', took place on 25 October 2025. The information below is correct as of the publication date.
All maps contain some kind of secret to be uncovered, from how to get from A to B to clandestine maps of treasure, escapes and invasions. Yet all secrets are in some way like maps, withholding and then, at other times, revealing concealed information.
In an introductory talk which launched the Secret Maps events programme, Professor Jerry Brotton took us from the Renaissance through to our current global moment, to explore the surprisingly mutual relationship between maps and secrecy.
This event accompanied the British Library exhibition Secret Maps (24 October 2025 – 18 January 2026).
To join more online and in person events visit our website: events.bl.uk
Discover more of our past events at our playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVRvouzCZmFeI-PSlsaLHzJwtEkKshATx&si=94-9DoaNCNTFAyQc
Speaker Bio:
Jerry Brotton is a writer, broadcaster, curator and international authority on map history. He is Professor of Renaissance Studies at Queen Mary University of London. He has written several books on map including the bestselling A History of the World in Twelve Maps (2012). He has written and presented many BBC TV and radio programmes, and is presenter of the podcast, What’s Your Map? His latest book is Four Points of the Compass: the Unexpected History of Direction (2024).
The British Library is a charity. Your support helps us open up a world of knowledge and inspiration for everyone. Donate today: support.bl.uk/Donate
