500th anniversary of the birth of Gerard Mercator

[Кирилл Сызранский]

Gerhard Kremer (Mercator) was born March 5, 1512, in the town Ruppelmonde, Flanders (now Belgium) to the family of an artisan and the peasant and was the seventh child in the family. The family moved to the Netherlands from Germany shortly before his birth in the hopes of improving financial position. Gerard's uncle lived there, the priest Gizbert Kremer. When he was 14 or 15 years old, his father died and his uncle was engaged in his upbringing. He said the ability of adolescents and identified him in a six-year high school. In addition to the Christian faith there taught Latin, Greek, logic and dialectics. Probably a student, Gerard and Latinized his name, changing it to Mercator (merchant - in Latin, Kremer - merchant in German lang.).

In 1530 Mercator entered the Catholic University of Leuven in the Faculty of Liberal Arts. There were studied grammar, rhetoric, geometry, astronomy and music theory. Already in those years, Mercator took special interest in geography, he studied the works of the ancient scholars seeking to understand how the world. Later he wrote: "When I studied philosophy, I'm scared like nature study, because it provides an explanation of the causes of all things, but I applied to only specific question - to the study of world order.

After graduation in 1532 he returned to Ruppelmonde, and decided to continue his education and started independent study of mathematics. He attended lectures by outstanding Flemish mathematician and cartographer Gemma Friziusa. Under his leadership, deepened knowledge of geometry and astronomy, studied the techniques of surveying, has become a great calligrapher. At the same time, he has mastered the skill of engraving, which is particularly important because card at the time created a way of engraving on copper. In addition, he learned to make scientific instruments - the astrolabe, the armillary spheres and globes.

Добавлено через 6 минут
The first cartographic work of Gerard Mercator appeared in 1537 and it was a map of Palestine.

In 1538, he published a map of the world in a double heart-shaped projection. One of the features of this card was a new interpretation of the name "America". As is known, has been named the new continent "America" ​​Martin Valdzeemyullerom in 1507, with the name refers only to the southern continent.
Then, over the years, this tradition was preserved. However, Mercator was convinced of the unity of Columbus' discovery of the world and on the above map in 1538 he signed accordingly, "America. Northern "and" America. The southern part of. "

In 1541 Mercator produced a terrestrial globe. Regarding the name of the new part of the world on this globe, Mercator has gone even further by breaking it into two parts: "America" ​​and "Rick" and signed by each part on different continents. A year earlier, Mercator published a manual on writing the words in italics, he substantiated his clarity, economy and convenience to the spelling of geographical names on maps. Since this type of font was used everywhere and is one of the major on modern maps.

Добавлено через 13 минут
While Flanders experienced serious religious conflict between Protestant and Catholic reformers traditional direction. In Leuven, a list of the 43 residents involved in the heretical teachings. This list was and Mercator. In February 1544 he was arrested and placed in one of the casemates. Through the intercession of some influential persons, seven months he was released, though many of those with whom he shared the imprisonment, were executed. Mercator's position remained precarious, and he decided to leave the Netherlands.

At the invitation of the Duke of Cleves, he moved to the German city of Duisburg, where the supposed foundation of the university. Subsequently, it will create the Duisburg Mercator his largest works.

Above all, these include three large wall maps, preserved in a single specimen:
* Map of the world. 1569 g.Karta Europe. 1554
* Map of the British Isles. 1564
* Map of the World, "a new and more complete picture of the world, which are tested and adapted for use in navigation." 1569

On the last work should mention. As its name implies, it was intended primarily for mariners. Mercator, which never made voyages, nevertheless saw great disadvantage existed at the time charts - namely - the inability to easily identify a flat map and draw a course of the ship, even using a goniometer and a compass, as the angle between two lines on the flat maps and on the spherical surface of the Earth is not the same. Mercator's great invention, and consisted in the fact that he found a way to build charts, where sh is a straight line, and the azimuth is not distorted.

This method is now called Mercator projection and applied to the construction of marine charts worldwide. As amended, it is used for topographic maps of land, produced in the U.S., Canada, France, Germany and other countries. It is also the basis for Google maps and most of the navigators, who is familiar to every motorist.

Добавлено через 9 минут
After 1569 Mekator starts the master plan of his life - the creation of a comprehensive Cosmographia, which was to consist of five parts dealing with creation of the world, the description of celestial objects, earth and sea, genealogy and history of nations, chronology. This grand design was brought to life in part.

In 1569 he published a "Chronology", which served as the basis for the other parts. It includes a chronological list of the political, cultural, scientific and biblical events, and - tables of solar and lunar eclipses. Subsequently, the book was banned the Catholic Church, as it was included events related to Martin Luther and a few other heretics.

Then Mercator published his version of Claudius Ptolemy's maps as the source on the ancient geography.

In 1585 and 1589 years. published two volumes dedicated to several countries in Europe, and that was the last lifetime editions of the great cartographer. By the end of the life of Mercator suffered two strokes and could not move independently, December 2, 1594 he died.


G.Merkatora anniversary was widely celebrated global scientific community. In many European cities are monuments to Mercator, his name is an observatory in South America, ships and international trains to the anniversary date in Belgium minted a commemorative gold coin of 100 Euro.

Добавлено через 4 минуты
The National Library has the country's largest collection of his works (over 20 volumes). Was dedicated to the anniversary date exhibition " World Atlas Cartography », launched by the Library in March 2012 is the first time exhibited original maps and atlases of the great master .

Mercator we owe the invention of the method of constructing charts , which is used to this day. However, he was more than just a cartographer. He distinguished himself at various times as a manufacturer of scientific instruments, an engraver and calligrapher. Equally impressive are his deep interest in mathematics, astronomy , cosmography , history, philosophy and theology, as well as in the study of terrestrial magnetism.

[Кирилл Сызранский]

The first cartographic work of Gerard Mercator appeared in 1537 and it was a map of Palestine.

In 1538, he published a map of the world in a double heart-shaped projection. One of the features of this card was a new interpretation of the name "America". As is known, has been named the new continent "America" ​​Martin Valdzeemyullerom in 1507, with the name refers only to the southern continent.
Then, over the years, this tradition was preserved. However, Mercator was convinced of the unity of Columbus' discovery of the world and on the above map in 1538 he signed accordingly, "America. Northern "and" America. The southern part of. "

In 1541 Mercator produced a terrestrial globe. Regarding the name of the new part of the world on this globe, Mercator has gone even further by breaking it into two parts: "America" ​​and "Rick" and signed by each part on different continents. A year earlier, Mercator published a manual on writing the words in italics, he substantiated his clarity, economy and convenience to the spelling of geographical names on maps. Since this type of font was used everywhere and is one of the major on modern maps.

[Кирилл Сызранский]

While Flanders experienced serious religious conflict between Protestant and Catholic reformers traditional direction. In Leuven, a list of the 43 residents involved in the heretical teachings. This list was and Mercator. In February 1544 he was arrested and placed in one of the casemates. Through the intercession of some influential persons, seven months he was released, though many of those with whom he shared the imprisonment, were executed. Mercator's position remained precarious, and he decided to leave the Netherlands.

At the invitation of the Duke of Cleves, he moved to the German city of Duisburg, where the supposed foundation of the university. Subsequently, it will create the Duisburg Mercator his largest works.

Above all, these include three large wall maps, preserved in a single specimen:
* Map of the world. 1569 g.Karta Europe. 1554
* Map of the British Isles. 1564
* Map of the World, "a new and more complete picture of the world, which are tested and adapted for use in navigation." 1569

On the last work should mention. As its name implies, it was intended primarily for mariners. Mercator, which never made voyages, nevertheless saw great disadvantage existed at the time charts - namely - the inability to easily identify a flat map and draw a course of the ship, even using a goniometer and a compass, as the angle between two lines on the flat maps and on the spherical surface of the Earth is not the same. Mercator's great invention, and consisted in the fact that he found a way to build charts, where sh is a straight line, and the azimuth is not distorted.

This method is now called Mercator projection and applied to the construction of marine charts worldwide. As amended, it is used for topographic maps of land, produced in the U.S., Canada, France, Germany and other countries. It is also the basis for Google maps and most of the navigators, who is familiar to every motorist.

[Кирилл Сызранский]

After 1569 Mekator starts the master plan of his life - the creation of a comprehensive Cosmographia, which was to consist of five parts dealing with creation of the world, the description of celestial objects, earth and sea, genealogy and history of nations, chronology. This grand design was brought to life in part.

In 1569 he published a "Chronology", which served as the basis for the other parts. It includes a chronological list of the political, cultural, scientific and biblical events, and - tables of solar and lunar eclipses. Subsequently, the book was banned the Catholic Church, as it was included events related to Martin Luther and a few other heretics.

Then Mercator published his version of Claudius Ptolemy's maps as the source on the ancient geography.

In 1585 and 1589 years. published two volumes dedicated to several countries in Europe, and that was the last lifetime editions of the great cartographer. By the end of the life of Mercator suffered two strokes and could not move independently, December 2, 1594 he died.


G.Merkatora anniversary was widely celebrated global scientific community. In many European cities are monuments to Mercator, his name is an observatory in South America, ships and international trains to the anniversary date in Belgium minted a commemorative gold coin of 100 Euro.

[Кирилл Сызранский]

The National Library has the country's largest collection of his works (over 20 volumes). Was dedicated to the anniversary date exhibition " World Atlas Cartography », launched by the Library in March 2012 is the first time exhibited original maps and atlases of the great master .

Mercator we owe the invention of the method of constructing charts , which is used to this day. However, he was more than just a cartographer. He distinguished himself at various times as a manufacturer of scientific instruments, an engraver and calligrapher. Equally impressive are his deep interest in mathematics, astronomy , cosmography , history, philosophy and theology, as well as in the study of terrestrial magnetism.