Famous for his work, Isaak de Graaf, the Dutch cartographer is one of the greatest map makers of his time. Since his father Abraham de Graaf was also a renowned cartographer, Isaak de Graaf had the privilege of taking navigating lessons from a very young age from him.
Isaak de Graaf was born to Susanna Pietersz Eppingh and Abraham de Graaf in the year 1668. He started his career as a clerk cum cartographer in the Amsterdam Chamber of the Dutch East India Company. Soon he was appointed the supervisor of the Atlas Amsterdam. As a reward for his excellent work, the Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie or the East India Company deputed him as the official cartographer in the early 18th century.
Isaak de Graaf compiled 187 maps in his two volumes of the manuscript atlas. The maps depicted the territorial possessions and settlements of the East India Company in the continents of Africa and Asia. The maps were designed to be used by the Board of Directors of the company. The maps of the maestro was compiled in the Atlas Isaak de Graaf/Atlas Amsterdam by Professor G’nter Schilder in the later half of the 20th century.
Isaak de Graaf got married to Saderina de Brauw and served the Dutch East India Company till death. He died at the ripe age of 75 in the year 1743.