From Astronomy to Cartography

Abstract

Martin Waldseemüller ({ca. 1475 -–1522) was born in Wolfenweiler, Germany and matriculated from the University of Freiburg. He studied theology, was a cleric at the Diocese of Constance, and was canonized at Saint Dié. He was a highly influential geographer and cartographer whose famous twelve-panel map of the world, shown in Fig. 9.1, gave the name America to the new world after the journeys of the Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci. The map, which measures 4 feet by 8 feet4 ft×8 ft when fully assembled, was the first to depict the entire Western Hemisphere as a separate continent between two vast bodies of water, the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Interestingly, Waldseemüller’s later maps omitted the name “America”, simply referring to the new continent as “Terra Incognita.” Nonetheless, other famous mapmakers had already adopted and popularized Waldseemüller’s original terminology. The text that follows is from Waldseemüller’s Cosmographiae Introductio, which was published alongside his famous 1507 map. This Introduction to Cosmography makes extensive use of the meticulous geometrical and astronomical works of Ptolemy.

Since thy Majesty is sacred throughout the vast world,

Maximilian Caesar, in the farthest lands,

Where the sun raises its golden head from the eastern waves

And seeks the straits known by Hercules’ name,

Where the midday glows under its burning rays,

Where the Great Bear freezes the surface of the sea;

And since thou, mightiest of mighty kings, dost order

That mild laws should prevail according to thy will;

Therefore to thee in a spirit of loyalty this world map has been dedicated

By him who has prepared it with wonderful skill.

—Martin Waldseemüller