Gerardus Mercator
Flemish cartographer (1512–1594)
Born
Mar 05, 1512 (514)
Birth Place
Rupelmonde
Nationality
Holy Roman Empire
Died
1594-12-02
About
Gerardus Mercator was a Flemish geographer, cosmographer and cartographer. He is most renowned for creating the 1569 world map based on a new projection which represented sailing courses of constant bearing as straight lines—an innovation that is still employed in nautical charts.