John Rocque

John Rocque (originally Jean; c. 1709–1762) was a surveyor and cartographer.

Rocque was born no later than 1709, since that was the year he moved to England with his parents, who were French Huguenot émigrés. He became a godfather in 1728, which suggests he was at least twenty-one years old by that time.

In addition to his work as surveyor and mapmaker, Rocque was an engraver and map-seller. He was also involved in some way in gardening as a young man, living with his brother Bartholomew, who was a landscape gardener, and producing plans for parterres, perhaps recording pre-existing designs, but few details of this work are known. Roque produced engraved plans of the gardens at Wrest Park (1735), Claremont (1738), Charles Hamilton's naturalistic landscape garden at Painshill Park, Surrey (1744), Wanstead House (1745) and Wilton House (1746).

Rocque is now mainly remembered for his map of London. He began work on this in 1737 and it was published in 24 printed sheets in 1747. It was by far the most detailed map of London published up to that time, and remains an important historical resource.

The map of London and his other maps brought him an appointment as cartographer to the Prince of Wales in 1751. A fire in 1750 destroyed his premises and stock, but by 1753 he was employing ten draughtsmen, and The Small British Atlas: Being a New set of Maps of all the Counties of England and Wales appeared. There was a second edition in 1762.

He also surveyed and published maps of Middlesex, Oxford, Berkshire, & Buckinghamshire in 1760.

His 1756 map of Dublin featured on an Irish ten pound banknote. The Area around Dublin city on covered on 4 maps. They extended as far as Skerries and Cardy Rocks to the North, Carton House to the west, Blessington to the south west,and Enniskerry to the south.

The map of the lands around Dublin City is engraved with the following text:

"To The High Puifsant and moft Noble Prince

John - Duke of Bedford

Marquefs of Taviftock and Earl of Bedford

Baron Howland of Stratham, one of the Lords of his

Majefties Most Honourable Privy Council

Lord Lieutenant and Custos Rotulorum of the county

and Town of Bedford. And of the County of Devon. &

City of Exeter. Major General of his Majefties Forces

Knight of the moft Noble Order of the Garter

Lord Lieutenant General and General

Governor of the Kingdom of Ireland

This Actual Survey of

The County of Dublin

is humbly Infcribed. By

His Graces

Most Humble and

Obedient Servant

Jn.e Roque"

The Dublin City maps were on 4 sheets as follows:

No.1 The Phoenix Park to the west to Broadstone in the east including part of the River Liffey.

No.2. The River Liffey as far north as Dorset Street and east as far as the Strand, and west to Inns Quay.

No.3.From Francis Street to the west to Merrion Street to the east and north as far as Dame Street.

No.4. From the Royal Hospital Kilmainham to Francis Street and Dolphins Barn to the south.

Map 1 is inscribed with the following words:

"An Exact Survey of the City and Suburbs

of Dublin in Which is Exprefs'd the Ground Plot

of all the Publick Buildings Dwelling Houses

Ware Houses Stables Courtyards &c by

Iohn Rocque Chorographer to their

Royal Highnesses the Late & Present Prince

of Wales

1756"

These maps are a remarkable record of life in the city and include streets by the following names:

1. Bloody Bridge. (At Ushers Island.)

2. Cuckolds Row.(Off New Market.)

3. Dog and Duck Yard.(Between Thomas Street and the River.)

4. Dirty Lane. (Off Bridgefoot Street.)

5. Turn Again Lane. (Off Bolton Street.)

6. Dung Hill Lane. (Off Watling Street.)

7. Skinner Row. (Near Christ Church Cathedral.)

8. Good Mans Alley. (Near St. Patricks Cathedral.)

9. Murdering Lane. (Near Kilmainham Hospital.)


He married twice. His widow continued the business after his death . A