Abraham Oertel

views updated

Abraham Oertel

1527-1598

Flemish cartographer who published the first modern atlas. Born in Antwerp, where he resided until his death, he was involved in the map trade from a young age. In 1570 he published his great work, Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, a collection of 70 maps by different cartographers printed in a uniform format. It appeared in more than 40 editions between 1570 and 1612 and was translated into Dutch, German, French, Spanish, Italian, and English.

More From encyclopedia.com