Martín Cortés de Albacar
Martín Cortés de Albacar (1510–1582) was a Spanish
Cortés was born in Bujaraloz, province of Zaragoza, Aragon. He was raised by a family of sailors and navigators.[4] His up bringing of exposure to seafaring was likely a reason for his interest and successes in his career. Starting in 1530, he taught cosmography and the art of navigation to pilots in the city of Cádiz.[4] Cortes also worked alongside the Spanish Navy sharing his knowledge by teaching navy ship captains. While it is not known if he was ever in combat, his works were of great influence in the wars fought during and after his death.
Cortés' book, Breve compendio,... Arte de navegar was first published in 1551 and then promoted by
Arte de navegar was a practical book in which Cortés discussed, in a concise manner, navigation, cosmography and problems such as magnetic declination for which he hypothesised a Celestial magnetic pole.[1]
He included many illustrations and models for making instruments.
Cortés' calculations were critical in allowing explorers to ascertain their location when out of sight of land.[7]
In 1574, the mathematician William Bourne, produced a popular version of the book, entitled A Regiment for the Sea. Bourne was critical of some aspects of Arte de Navegar and produced a manual of more practical use to the seaman.[11]
He died at the age of 72.
Biography
Cortés moved to Cádiz in 1530 where he attended navigation school and quickly dedicated his life to being a teacher. It is important to note that his work was able to be used in all areas of navigation, not just the sea. His main role as a teacher was to certify pilots and oversee the production and maintenance of both nautical charts and instruments, while guiding how to use instruments like astrolabes and compasses. Applying science and logic to navigation was his specialty, by doing this he was able to give his students a fundamental understanding of navigation rather than just knowing how to use the tools he provided.[4]
In addition to being a teacher, Cortés was known for his ties with the Spanish Navy. [4] While it is not known exactly if he actively participated in any of the battles, he could have been active in one or more of these battles: Battle of Pavia (1525), Battle of Preceza (1538), or Battle of Lepanto (1571). His works and contributions to field navigation had major impacts on these battles, far beyond what any one person could have contributed as solely a captain. So much so that he received the highest level of protection for his works from Álvaro de Bazán. Cortés dedicated his book to Bazán shortly after receiving protection.[4]
While many sources are documenting his works and contributions. There is very little information regarding his personal life. There has yet to be any proof of him having a wife or children.
References
- ^ a b c p131 Antonio Barrera-Osorio Experiencing nature: the Spanish American empire and the early scientific revolution; University of Texas Press, 2006
- ^ Breve compendio de la sphera y de la arte de navegar, con nuevos instrumentos y reglas, exemplificado com muy subtiles demostraciones Digitazing Library of Chile
- JSTOR j.ctv16t6j8b.
- ^ a b c d e f g Escartí, Vicent Josep (2009). Nota sobre la visión del mundo y la ideología cesarista en el Breve compendio de la Sphera de Martín Cortés (in Spanish). University de Valéncia: Vicent Josep Excartí. pp. 262–274.
- JSTOR 10.7722/j.ctt2111dz4.
- Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Sept 2004
- ^ a b Antonio Barrera, Colgate University, Navigational Manual of Cortés Archived 2 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- ISBN 0-289-70403-0
- ^ See es:Martín Cortés de Albacar for the Spanish Wikipedia biography
- ^ Swanick, Lois Ann. An Analysis of Navigational Instruments in the Age of Exploration: 15th Century to Mid-17th century, MA Thesis, Texas A&M University, December 2005
- ^ G. L'E. Turner, 'Bourne, William (c.1535–1582)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004