Gerardus Mercator

5 March 1512 – 2 December 1594

Gerardus Mercator (1512-1594) was a Flemish geographer, cosmographer, and cartographer, famous for the 1569 world map based on the projection that bears his name, which represents sailing courses of constant bearing as straight lines. He was also the first to use the term 'atlas' for a bound collection of maps and was among the most influential mapmakers in history.

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Lived at the same time

Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Gerardus Mercator.

Life events

Born in Rupelmonde, County of Flanders
5 March 1512

Gerard de Kremer, later Latinized as Gerardus Mercator, was born in Rupelmonde in the Habsburg Netherlands to a family of modest means.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Enrolled at the University of Leuven
29 August 1530 – 1532

Mercator matriculated at the University of Leuven, where he received his master's degree in 1532 and later studied mathematics under Gemma Frisius.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Married Barbara Schellekens in Leuven
1536

Mercator married Barbara Schellekens, with whom he had six children.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Constructed a celebrated terrestrial globe
1541

Mercator produced a terrestrial globe for Emperor Charles V's chancellor, establishing his reputation as a leading instrument and globe maker.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Imprisoned for several months on suspicion of heresy
1544

Mercator was arrested in the heresy persecutions in the Low Countries and held in Rupelmonde castle for about seven months before being released without charge.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Moved to Duisburg in the Duchy of Cleves
1552

Mercator relocated with his family from Leuven to Duisburg, where he spent the rest of his life and produced his greatest cartographic works.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Appointed court cosmographer to Duke Wilhelm of Jülich-Cleves-Berg
1564

Mercator became cosmographer to the duke, a position that supported his map-making and scholarly projects.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Published the 1569 world map introducing the Mercator projection
1569

Mercator's great world map, Nova et Aucta Orbis Terrae Descriptio, used a new projection on which rhumb lines appear straight, transforming marine navigation.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Published the first parts of his Atlas
1585

Mercator issued the first installments of his collection of maps and cosmographical writings, coining the term 'atlas'; the complete work appeared posthumously in 1595.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died in Duisburg
2 December 1594

Mercator died in Duisburg after a series of strokes and was buried in the Salvatorkirche there.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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