• 1869
• Cartographic Map
• Exhibit map
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Charles Joseph Minard was a French civil engineer who liked to study streams and physics. Figurative maps and graphic tables were among his favorite studies. He often substituted mathematically proportioned images for dry and complicated columns of statistical data so that the first glance could “take it all in” and previously unforeseen comparisons could become apparent. The data map and time-series combination shown here was created in the last year of his life. It may be the best statistical graphic ever drawn. The map portrays the losses suffered by Napoleon’s army in the Russian campaign of 1812. The story begins at the Polish-Russian border with thick bands showing the size of the army in each position. The path of Napoleon’s retreat is depicted by the dark lower band, tied to temperature and time scales. Six variables and a dramatic series of human events are shown together in one comprehensive portrait. Books probably used by Minard on Napoleon in Russia include: Marie-Louis-Joseph-Adolphe Thiers (1797-1877) historian, lawyer, journalist, head of the French government for about a year, 1870-71; Général Cte Philippe-Paul De Ségur (1753-1830) an aide-de-camp to Napoleon; Raimond-Emery-Philippe-Josephe de Montesquiou, Duke of Fezensac (1784-1867), who participated in many military campaigns including that of Napoleon in Russia; Georges, marquis de Chambray (1783-1848) probably author of the two-volume anonymous Histoire de l'expedition de Russi; Pierre-Irénée Jacob (1782-1855), pharmacist to Napoleon's army during the Russian campaign. See http://www.edwardtufte.com/tufte/minard for more information.