Nathan Hale

Nathan Hale (1784-1863) was a Boston polymath, with a career spanning the teaching of mathematics, private law practice, journalism (as founder of the Daily Advertiser), book publisher and civil engineer. He also helped establish the Boston and Worcester Rail Road and was its first President from 1831 to 1849. His father Enoch Hale was a brother of the famous martyred patriot. Nathan’s mother was Octavia Throop, so there is likely a family connection with J. V. N. Throop, the Boston engraver who produced the present map. Hale is little-known as a mapmaker, and we know of no other cartographic productions by him.