Mercator (de Cremer), Gerard

Geographer, astronomer, globe-maker, engraver, cartographer, mathematician, publisher. In 1569 he
introduced the projection that finally allowed navigators to plot a constant compass bearing on a flat map. He planned a cosmography in five volumes under the name “Atlas” but he completed only a few parts – including a map of Lithuania – the balance was completed by his son Rumold. Plates for the completed Atlas passed on to the Hondius family in 1604. He also produced a wall map of Europe in 15 sheets, 1554; an Atlas of Europe, c. 1570–1572; and a definitive version of Ptolemy’s “Geographia” in 1578. Died in Duisburg (Belgium).