introduction henry schenck tanner was a prominent american cartographer, born in new york city in 1786. he is best known for establishing his publishing company in philadelphia and being one of the preeminent american map engravers and publishers of the early 19th century. early life and career tanner's interest in cartography began at a young age, and he went on to produce several notable maps, including a geographical and statistical account of the epidemic cholera, which was published in response to the worldwide cholera epidemic of 1817. he also produced a map of mexico in 1822, which bec…