Gerardus Mercator Rupelmundanus: Cartographer & Renaissance Man
Van Cauwenberghe, C. (2005). Gerardus Mercator Rupelmundanus: Cartographer & Renaissance Man. Hydrogr. J. 116: 16-18 In: The Hydrographic Journal. Hydrographic Society: London. ISSN 0309-7846, more |
| Keywords | Cartography
Documents > Biographies
Marine/Coastal |
| Author | | Top | - Van Cauwenberghe, C., more
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| Abstract | An insight into the life of Gerardus Mercator (1512-1594) can be found via several basic sources Firstly, there is his biography published in 1595 by his friend, Walter Ghim, Mayor of Duisburg in Germany. This introduced his celebrated Atlas containing 107 maps (Mercator, 1595) published after Mercator's death by his son, Rumold. Secondly, there is his surviving correspondence and there are also accounts of his life by other contemporaries such as the cartographer Abraham Ortelius (1527-1598) and the Flemish historian, Antonius Sanderus (1586-1664). Additionally, much historical information was provided by Mercator himself, mainly in the form of prefaces to his works or as notes on his many maps while the archives of the University of Louvain also provide additional details on this very talented and versatile Renaissance man. Mainly revered as a cartographer, Mercator was nonetheless noted for many other abilities. He was, for instance, an accomplished mathematician, philosopher, metaphysic, theologian, historian, geographer, land surveyor, engraver, instrument maker, calligrapher, astronomer and cosmographer. But it was not until the 19th century that his true importance was rediscovered. |
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