(fl. 1756 – 1777)
Bernard Ratzer (fl. 1756 - 1777) was an extremely important British engineer, cartographer, and surveyor active in the mid to late 18th century. Ratzer was recruited by the British Army and commissioned as a Liutennet in His Majesties 60th Royal American Regiment. As an "experienced surveyor and fine draughtsman" (Cumming) Ratzer was assigned to survey the coasts of America during the French and Indian war and just prior to the American Revolutionary War. Ratzer is known to have worked with Faden, Jefferys, Kitchen, Holland and Sauthier, among other important 18th century cartographic figures. Most of Ratzer's work is confined to the eastern coast of the United States, specifically New York, New Jersey and the Carolinas. Ratzer is best known for his stunning large format map of New York City, which is generally considered to be one of the most beautiful city plans ever produced. Ratzer's name is often confused as "Ratzen" due to Thomas Kitchen's misspelling of his name on the title of the New York Plan. Click here for a list of rare maps from Bernard Ratzer.