Russia

Mapmaker:

Thomas Letts (1803-1873)

Thomas Letts was an English stationer and printer who
popularised the diary. In 1816, his father published ‘Letts’s diary or
bills owed book and almanac’ as the first commercially produced diary,
which Thomas developed into of dozens of differently printed and bound,
annual publications. Thomas was joined in the family business by his
son, Charles, and together they raised capital for expansion into a
limited company in 1870, trading as ‘Letts, Son & Co.’ However
Thomas died soon afterwards, being buried in West Norwood Cemetery in a
Grade II listed monument. Charles reformed the company privately as
Charles Letts & Co., trading profitably for the next century.