Georg Braun
Georg Braun was a German topo-geographer. From 1572 to 1617, he edited the Civitates orbis terrarum which contains 546 prospects, bird's-eye views and maps of cities from all around the world. As principal editor of the work, he acquired the tables, hired the artists, and wrote the texts. He died as an octogenarian in 1622, the only survivor of the original team to witness the publication of volume VI in 1617.
Career
Braun was born and died in Cologne. His principal profession was a Catholic cleric. He spent thirty-seven years as canon and dean at the church, St. Maria ad Gradus, in Cologne.His six-volume work was inspired by Sebastian Münster's Cosmographia. In form and layout it resembles the 1570 Theatrum orbis terrarum by Abraham Ortelius, as Ortelius was interested in a complementary companion for the Theatrum.
In 1572 the Civitates Orbis Terrarum was published and is today noted as the first atlas that contained city maps. Braun recorded that London is "famed among many people for its commerce". The 546 city views in the atlas contain street plans for Venice and Frankfurt. The Civitates Orbis Terrarum must be regarded as 16th century European view of urban social, cultural, and economic life. In the 16th century the number of people who traveled increased. Pilgrims, tradesmen, students, and adventurers were joined by tourists. The interest in the 1572 Civitates Orbis Terrarum was significant and the atlas sold well. The entire atlas was crafted in six volumes and published between 1572 and 1618.