This
fund was created to support
the work of the Geography
and Map Division, particularly
for fellowships and other
educational programs, and
to assist in the acquisition
of materials for the Division's
collections, especially
in the area of American
cartography.
The
fund honors Walter W. Ristow,
who served as Chief and
Assistant Chief of the Geography
and Map Division from 1946
to 1978. During his tenure,
he contributed extensively
to the development of the
Division and its collections.
He also made significant
additions to the body of
scholarly work, particularly
in the area of American
cartography, and helped
develop map librarianship
at schools and public institutions
across the country. His
association with the division
for more than fifty years
has left an invaluable legacy
and has inspired an entire
generation of cartographic
historians and map librarians.
