Why is gerardus mercator famous

Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Recommended Google celebrates cartographer who created atlas. Already subscribed? Log in. Forgotten your password? Want an ad-free experience? From , Gerhard studied at the University of Leuven under Gemma Frisius, [ 4 ] was awarded a Magister artium in , and subsequently pursued private studies in theology, philosophy and mathematics, especially in their practical applications maps, globes and instruments.

From to , Mercator was a collaborator of Gemma Frisius in the creation of his terrestrial and celestial globes. Frisius improved measuring instruments and found completely new ways to use mathematical operations to measure parts of the Earth. In he created a first map Amplissima Terrae Sanctae descriptio ad utriusque Testamenti intelligentiam. In , Mercator created his very first world map and at the same time, he published a map of Flanders which caused him quite a lot of attention by the King.

In , Mercator published his first globe, which sold in large quantities for decades. It is questionable whether Mercator earned his theological doctorate. Unfortunately, the scientist was arrested due to heresy in and stayed in prison for several months. The work influenced Mercator critically and both scientists started exchanging letters, which were found just recently.

The first celestial globe was released by Mercator in In the following period, Mercator started working as a teacher for mathematics and astronomy in Duisburg. Mercator achieved world fame with his large world map of Nova et aucta orbis terrae descriptio ad usum navigantium.

Mercator never could have anticipated being part of an app on your phone, but he probably would have recognized his map. Our mission has never been more vital than it is in this moment: to empower through understanding. Financial contributions from our readers are a critical part of supporting our resource-intensive work and help us keep our journalism free for all.

Please consider making a contribution to Vox today to help us keep our work free for all. Cookie banner We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. By choosing I Accept , you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Gerardus Mercator revolutionized mapmaking.

He was almost executed for it. Reddit Pocket Flipboard Email. A portrait of Gerardus Mercator. Why Mercator's maps were such a huge deal Today we're so familiar with the Mercator projection that it's easy to forget how revolutionary it was at the time.

Wikimedia Commons His new map was a revelation, because the projection kept the latitude and longitude lines at consistent 90 degree angles. Wikimedia Commons That achievement was followed by the publication of Mercator's Atlas. Mercator's mapmaking almost cost him his life Mercator's most famous projection almost never happened, because 25 years earlier he was imprisoned and nearly executed. Despite criticisms, Mercator's legacy persists In recent years, the Mercator projection has come under fire for distorting the real shape of the world's continents — objects closer to the poles appear larger than they should.

The Robinson Projection Wikimedia Commons The Gall-Peters projection , designed as a response to the Mercator projection's flaws, is also distorted near the poles. The Mercator Projection Wikimedia Commons In an era of digital mapping, however, Mercator's work has reemerged thanks to its readability. Next Up In Almanac. Delivered Fridays. Thanks for signing up! He was born Gerhard Kremer at Rupelmonde in Flanders now in Belgium , the seventh and last child of an impoverished German family which had recently moved there.

He learned the craft of engraving from a local expert called Gaspar Van der Heyden and the three men worked together in the making of maps, globes and astronomical instruments for wealthy patrons, including the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. In Mercator produced a map of the world on a projection shaped like a pair of hearts.