Universal Geography

Élisée Reclus’s The Universal Geography, published between 1876 and 1894, is one of the most ambitious geographical works of the 19th century. Spanning 19 volumes and written by the French geographer, anarchist, and social reformer Élisée Reclus, the series offers a richly detailed account of the world’s physical and cultural landscapes. The work is illustrated with thousands of maps and engravings, often of places and people not otherwise captured in such detail in 19th century cartography or prints. It remains a landmark in the history of cartography and geography.