Arguably the most famous member of a very distinguished French family of scientists, Guillaume de L'Isle was one of the most influential geographers in the eighteenth century. Often referred to as the first "scientific cartographer," he gained prominence at an early age and continued to influence the field of cartography well after his death in 1726. Guillaume and his brothers were elected members of the Academie Royale des Sciences, and in 1718, Guillaume was given the coveted position of Premier Geographe du Roi, (Geographer to King Louis XV). Louis XV was not the only king who relied on the de L'Isle family; two of Guillaume's brothers became scientific advisors to Peter the Great of Russia. This royal interest in cartography was not a new phenomenon.
     Throughout modern history the art and science of cartography has attracted the attention of the ruling classes. While the aristocracy in earlier eras prized maps as much for their artistic embellishments as for their cartographic accuracy, the eighteenth century nobility during the Age of Enlightenment preferred empirical accuracy to fanciful conjecture. Science was the hallmark of this era, and Guillaume de L'Isle's maps were considered the most scientifically accurate maps available at the time. This map of the world was created for the use of Louis XV, and it was reprinted by Covens and Mortier for years following de L'Isle's death. While it is certainly an attractive map, de L'Isle's emphasis is on the cartography itself, strictly limiting the artwork to areas that are clearly outside the map proper.