Information Graphic Visionaries by RJ Andrews

Information Graphic Visionaries is a book series celebrating spectacular data visualization creators with original research, new writing, and beautiful visual catalogs. We launched in November 2022 with three inaugural volumes that elevate Emma Willard's maps of history, Florence Nightingale's mortality and health diagrams, and Étienne-Jules Marey's graphic method.

I believe that some information graphics are masterpieces, and deserve to be treated with the same respect and rigorous analysis as a fine oil painting or breakthrough equation of physics. It took me five years to realize this project, which helps elevate our craft to this deserved high status.

Each book pairs beautiful reproductions—unlike anything produced in print by our field—with essays that provide context for why and how these graphics were made. By appreciating the ways in which great work happens, I hope to inspire readers to dare beyond what is possible with information design today and further our unique skill of sharing understanding.

The volumes have been shipped to sixty countries and collected by libraries all over the world. Here's what some of their fans have said:

"Three figures who fundamentally altered the way we communicate and organize data."—Colossal
"When you open the box it is just astounding, the level of detail and thought and craft that has been expertly put into the creation of these books."—Catherine Madden, Visual Storyteller
"Masters of data illumination."—Steven Heller, Print Magazine
"A joy to hold and peruse."—Mark Monmonier, Distinguished Professor of Geography
"Truly great books!"—Nigel Holmes, Information Designer

Here are descriptions of each title, please visit the project link to see many more details:

EMMA WILLARD, MAPS OF HISTORY
"In history I have invented the map.”—Emma Willard, 1848

Emma Willard created new ways to understand time. Her inventions defined chronology for millions of Americans. This volume explores Willard’s legacy by republishing her graphics with new critique and context.

An original illustrated essay by historian Susan Schulten titled “A Graphic Mind” explores the influences and achievements of Emma Willard’s craft. The volume is introduced by geographer Matthew H. Edney.

The book concludes with a colorful graphic catalog that reproduces Willard’s maps of history and charts of time in three sections: atlases, classroom charts, and textbook graphics. Enclosed is an actual-size poster of her most famous work, The Temple of Time.

FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE, MORTALITY AND HEALTH DIAGRAMS
"Whenever I am infuriated, I revenge myself with a new diagram.”— Florence Nightingale, 1857

Florence Nightingale used colorful diagrams to persuade royals and generals to adopt reforms that prevented countless deaths. This volume tells the story of exactly how she did it.

A new illustrated essay by data storyteller RJ Andrews titled “God’s Revenge Upon Murder” chronicles the motivation and craft behind Florence Nightingale and her team. The volume is introduced by Nightingale-historian Lynn McDonald.

The book concludes with a colorful graphic catalog that reproduces both of Nightingale’s coxcomb folios. A complete set of her statistical diagrams includes several foldout charts and a graphic appendix with hand-drawn drafts of her diagrams.

ÉTIENNE-JULES MAREY, THE GRAPHIC METHOD
“These views have taught us to discern the appearances of reality.”— Étienne-Jules Marey, 1878

Étienne-Jules Marey revealed to the human eye what it cannot naturally see; changing not only science, but cinema and art too. His poetic book, titled La Méthode Graphique, was the first major treatise on data graphics and has been treasured by insiders for over a century.

This volume publishes the first English translation of The Graphic Method, Part One. It is illustrated by original photography of Marey’s original fifty-one figures. New margin notes about historic scientists and technologies by Georges Hattab and RJ Andrews complement their translation.

The translation is introduced by a new essay on Marey’s life by Marta Braun, historian of chronophotography. The book concludes with a colorful survey of rare information graphics referenced by Marey, presented with comparative analysis between his figures and the work he sampled.