What's Your Map? Live at the British Library: Lessons in Scouting with Dwayne Fields

About this episode

In this episode, Jerry Brotton interviews explorer Dwayne Fields about the innovative maps of Robert Baden-Powell and the significance of imagination in scouting.

In this second live episode from the British Library, Jerry speaks to explorer and Chief Scout Dwayne Fields, who is accompanied by Head of the Scout Heritage Collection, Caroline Pantling. They shine a spotlight on the innovative, hand-drawn maps of the Scout movement founder Lieutenant-General Robert Baden-Powell (1857-1941), and talk about the importance of imagination and adventure. The maps they discuss in the episode are illustrations from Baden-Powell's 1915 book "My Adventures as a Spy". The book recounts Baden-Powell's own experiences in the military and his career in espionage, and features his charming hand-drawn maps hidden in natural history sketches. From historians, scientists and writers to creatives and cultural custodians, people have used maps as a source of knowledge, guidance, and inspiration for centuries. Join us in this award winning podcast (Gold in Education at the British Podcast Awards 2025) as Jerry Brotton invites a guest to share a map close to their heart - and unfurl the ideas, inspirations, and stories behind it. If you’re fascinated by history, art, adventure and culture, why not become part of a global community of fellow explorers as we ask…

People in this episode

Host: Jerry Brotton

Guest: Dwayne Fields

Topics covered

• exploration
• scouting
• history
• maps
• adventure
• culture

Keywords

• scouting
• maps
• Baden-Powell
• exploration
• history
• adventure
• British Library

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: My Adventures as a Spy

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