Description

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Gerardus Mercator (originally Gerard De Kremer or De Cremer; Latin: Gerardus Mercator Rupelmundanus, “Gerard de Kremer van Rupelmonde”) (Rupelmonde, 5 March 1512 – Duisburg, 2 December 1594) was a cartographer, instrument maker and engraver, who was already during life considered the “Ptolemy of his time”. He was the first to apply a correct angle map projection; later named after him mercator projection. Mercator saw himself much more as a scientific cosmographer than as someone who had to earn a living by making and selling maps. His production was limited. He is known for a global pair, five wall maps and an unfinished cosmography. He also introduced the word atlas. This word at the time included all the maps of the cosmos; so, from both the universe and the earth. His products, which Mercator mainly produced in the German Rhine town of Duisburg, had a significant influence on the later commercial map makers in the Netherlands.