MERCATOR, Gerardus(1512-94) See also:
'TheNautical Chart'Flat maps of theworld are often shown in what is called a Mercatorprojection. Such maps are named after Gerardus Mercator,the foremost geographer of the 16th century. He alsointroduced the word atlas to refer to a bound collectionof maps.
Mercator was born on March 5, 1512, in Rupelmonde,Flanders (now in Belgium). He began his education at aschool operated by the Brothers of the Common Life inHertogenbosch. From there he went to the University ofLouvain, from which he graduated with a master's degreein 1532. Two years of further study turned his interestto geography. He learned astronomy, geography, andmathematics from Gemma Frisius, the leading mathematicianof the Low Countries. Mercator also studied engraving,calligraphy, and instrument making all talents he laterused effectively in mapmaking. Beginning in 1537 heproduced a series of maps and a book on italic lettering.His work was interrupted in 1544, when he was arrestedand detained for seven months on a charge of religiousheresy.
In order to continue working without interference fromthe authorities, he moved to Duisburg (now in Germany).It was there in 1569 that he used the projection forwhich he is famous on a cylindrical map of the world. Hepreferred the straight-line map because it enabledsailors to steer a course over long distances withoutfrequent changes in
compassreadings.
Mercator's dream was to publish a volume of maps, whichwould also give a history of the world since creation.Called the 'Atlas', the first section came out in 1569.It contained a chronology from creation to 1568. Next wasa series of 27 maps designed by the ancient
Greek geographer Ptolemy.Mercator died on Dec. 2, 1594. The last section of the'Atlas' was published by his son in 1595.
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