Person Mercator; Nicolas (c 1620 - 1687); mathematician and astronomer Mercator Nicolas mathematician and astronomer Nicolaus Kauffman, Nicolaus Kauffman, Niklaus c 1620 - 1687 British Male Eutin, Duchy of Holstein [modern day Germany], Europe c 1620 Versailles, France, Europe 1687

Mathematics Astronomy Education: University of Rostock (Mag Phil 1641); University of Leyden Career: Lived in the Netherlands (1642-1648); lectured at the University of Copenhagen (1648-1654); lived in Paris (1655-1657); Mathematics tutor to Joscelyne Percy, son of the 10th Earl of Northumberland, at Petworth, Sussex (1657); taught mathematics in London (1658-1682); designed a marine chronometer for Charles II; designed and constructed the fountains at Versailles (1682-1687) Parents: Martin Kauffman and Hedwig Kauffman Children: David Mercator While studying at Leyden, Mercator became acquainted with fellow mathematician John Pell (FRS 1663). He was also in regular correspondence with polymath Samuel Hartlib. Shortly before his election as a Fellow of the Royal Society, he constructed and presented a marine timekeeper to Charles II. He wrote and published a series of university textbooks on astronomy, geography, and logarithms, for example. His most important work is considered to be 'Logarithmotechnica' (1667), the first book to publish a function in the form of an infinite series. Fellow 14/11/1666 Sir Robert Moray Published in the 'Philosophical Transactions' on the theory of map projection (1666) Sources: Bulloch's Roll; DNB (MP); DSB; Aubrey; Hunter Authority: First Altname from DNB (MP), second from Hunter, third from DSB References: Wilbur Applebaum, 'A Descriptive Catalogue of the Manuscripts of Nicolaus Mercator, FRS (1620-87), in Sheffield University Library' in NR 1986-87 vol 41 pp 27-37 G H Turnbull, 'Samuel Hartlib's Influence on the Early History of the Royal Society' in NR 1953 vol 10 pp 101-130 Notes: DSB gives birth date as c 1619. Possible death date of January 1687. Alternate place of birth also Cismar in modern-day Germany. Original nationality uncertain: possibly German or Dutch. Hunter has his nationality as British until he moved to France in 1683. International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families - ISAAR(CPF) - Ottawa 1996 ISBN 0-9696035-3-3 National Council on Archives, Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997 https://royalsocietypublishing.org/action/doSearch?ContribAuthorRaw=Mercator%2C+Nicolas RCN: 41961 RCN: 38533 https://pictures.royalsociety.org/results?mi_search_type=adv&mi_adv_search=yes&adv_person_id=AUTH5802 c 1619 or 1620 - Jan or Feb 1687 The past Fellows entries are under continuous revision. If you have queries or additional information to contribute, please contact Library@royalsociety.org. Content in external sources is not controlled by the Royal Society and historical sources may include content that is now unacceptable. Reviewed on 19/05/2022 as part of the Name Authority Project update. NA7751 21/11/2001 Andyg Pmab 13/06/2023 RS_NET\VirginiaM Yes http://viaf.org/viaf/49303208 ece291e0-fd36-4c03-a60a-6520a4609eda