A map of South America drafted at age 16 secured August Heinrich Petermann a position as a foster-son and student under Heinrich Berghaus in Potsdam. This early display of technical skill launched a career that bridged the transition between traditional copperplate engraving and modern cartographic science within the Kingdom of Prussia and beyond.
Formative Training in Potsdam
Born in 1822 in Bleicherode, Petermann bypassed family pressure to enter the clergy, enrolling at the Geographical Art School in 1839. Under Berghaus, with the support of Alexander von Humboldt, he mastered mathematical, physical, and political geography. The curriculum focused on drafting, engraving, and the study of map projections. He engaged directly with the era's leading geographers and gained access to extensive private collections, preparing him for a career in map production.
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Between 1845 and 1854, Petermann gained significant commercial insight by working within the cartography trade in Edinburgh and London. This period allowed him to apply his German training to the international market, refining his skills in scientific illustration and geographic reporting. He eventually returned to the continent, continuing his work at the Perthes Institute in Gotha from 1854 until his death.
Contributions to Geography
Petermann served as a geographer, cartographer, opinion journalist, and scientific illustrator. His contributions included work for the Atlas von Asien and various school atlases. He was recognized for his specialized output through his induction into the Academy of Science for Public Utility and the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, culminating in the receipt of the Founder’s Medal in 1868.
Fast facts
- Born: 1822, Bleicherode
- Died: 1878, Gotha
- Education: Geographical Art School
- Citizenship: Kingdom of Prussia
- Primary Occupations: Geographer, cartographer, journalist
- Notable Award: Founder’s Medal (1868)
- Memberships: Academy of Science for Public Utility, Leopoldina
- Burial site: Main cemetery Gotha
Questions readers ask
Where was August Heinrich Petermann educated?
He studied at the Geographical Art School in Potsdam under the direction of Heinrich Berghaus.
What professional honors did he receive?
He was a member of the Academy of Science for Public Utility and the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, and he received the Founder’s Medal in 1868.
Achievements
- Founder’s Medal
- Recorded as cartographer, scientific illustrator and geographer
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