GERHARDUS MERCATOR (the latin name of Gerhard Kremer) (1512-1594), Flemish mathematician, map maker, and geographer most famous for the map projection that bears his name, was born in Rupelmonde, in east flanders (now in Belgium) on March 5, 1512.His first map drawn on the Mercator projection was published in 1569.
On a map using the Mercator projection, the meridians (lines of longitude) and the parallels (lines of latitude) appear as straight lines that cross at right angles.
The significance of the projection was in the lateral and vertical distortion that were deliberately created to show all compass courses as straight lines which would intersect the meridians and parallels at constant angles.
The straight lines, plus the aid of a compass, help navigators plot accurate routes. However, many geographical features on this kind of map are exaggerated in size.
Although recent study indicates that the projection may have been used as early as 1511, it was widely accepted only after Mercator used it.
Mercator died in Duisenberg on Dec. 2 1594
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