Gerardus Mercator
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Summary
Gerardus Mercator was born on March 5, 1512[1], in Rupelmonde[2]. He died on December 2, 1594[3], in Duisburg[4]. He worked as a mathematician[5], philosopher[6], theologian[7], cartographer[8], and inventor[9]. He ranks in the top 0.69% of human entities by monthly Wikipedia readership (8,857 views/month, #6,893 of 1,000,298).[10]
Key Facts
- Place of burial: Church of Our Saviour[11]
- Spouse: Barbara Schellekens[12], Gertrude Vierlings[13]
- Child: Bartholomeus Mercator[14], Rumold Mercator[15], Arnold Mercator[16]
- Country of citizenship: Holy Roman Empire[17], Habsburg Netherlands[18]
- Occupation: cosmographer[19], university teacher[20], instrument maker[21], writer[22], globe maker[23], copper engraver[24], draftsperson[25], publisher[26], geographer[27]
- Field of work: geography[28], cartography[29], mathematics[30], theology[31], philosophy[32]
- Position held: cosmographer[33]
- Employer: Old University of Leuven[34]
- Educated at: Old University of Leuven[35], Brethren of the Common Life[36]
- Doctoral advisor: Gemma Frisius[37]
- Student: John Dee[38]
- Notable work: Mercator projection[39], Mercator 1569 world map[40], Mercator map of Palestine[41], Angliae, Scotiae & Hiberniae nova descriptio[42], Mercator Europe map[43], Literarum latinarum, quas italicas, cursoriasque vocant, scribendarum ratio[44], Chronologia[45], Tabulae Geographicae[46], Mercator globe of the Earth (1541)[47]
- Religion or worldview: Lutheranism[48]
- Sex or gender: male[49]
- Family: Mercator family[50]
- Doctoral student: John Dee[51]
- Commons category: Gerardus Mercator[52]
- Family name: Mercator[53], De Kremer[54]
- Given name: Gerhard[55], Gerardus[56], Gerard[57]
Body
Works and Contributions
Things named for Gerardus Mercator include Mercator projection[58], transverse Mercator projection[59], University of Duisburg-Essen[60], Mercator[61], Mercator Ice Piedmont[62], Merkaartor[63], and Mercator Medal[64].
Why It Matters
Gerardus Mercator has Wikipedia articles in 27 language editions, a strong signal of global cultural recognition.[65] He is known by 56 alternative names across languages and contexts.[66]
He has been cited as an influence by Jodocus Hondius I[67], a cartographer[68], 1563–1612[69], of County of Flanders[70].
He is credited with the discovery of Mercator projection[71], a cylindrical projection[72], founded in 1569[73]. Works attributed to him include Atlas sive cosmographicae[74], an atlas[75]. Entities named for him include Mercator projection[58], transverse Mercator projection[59], University of Duisburg-Essen[60], Mercator[61], Mercator Ice Piedmont[62], and Merkaartor[63].
His notable doctoral advisees include John Dee[76], a philosopher[77], 1527–1608[78], of Kingdom of England[79], specialised in mathematics[80].
FAQs
Where was Gerardus Mercator born?
Gerardus Mercator's place of birth was Rupelmonde[2].
Where did Gerardus Mercator die?
Gerardus Mercator died in Duisburg[4].
Who was Gerardus Mercator married to?
Gerardus Mercator's spouses include Barbara Schellekens[12] and Gertrude Vierlings[13].
What did Gerardus Mercator do for work?
Gerardus Mercator worked as a mathematician[5], philosopher[6], theologian[7], cartographer[8], and inventor[9].
Where did Gerardus Mercator go to school?
Gerardus Mercator was educated at Old University of Leuven[35] and Brethren of the Common Life[36].
Who did Gerardus Mercator influence?
Gerardus Mercator has been cited as an influence by Jodocus Hondius I[67].
What did Gerardus Mercator discover?
Gerardus Mercator is credited as discoverer of Mercator projection[71].