Ortelius (or Oertel), Abraham (1527–1598)

Dutch mapmaker and printer. He published what has been called the first modern atlas, his Theatrum orbis terrarum (1570). It consisted of engravings by various cartographers, including Georg Hoefnagel and himself; it was the first atlas to cover all areas of the globe. He also produced a heart-shaped map of the world printed in 1564. From 1573 he was geographer to Philip II of Spain.

Ortelius was born in Antwerp and trained as an engraver before establishing himself as a dealer in maps and antiquities. He travelled widely to collect and sell maps, many of which he illustrated or coloured before sale.

He made many contacts – for example, Hoefnagel, who travelled with him to Italy in 1578 – but it was his friendship with the mapmaker Mercator that prompted his active involvement in cartography. In 1577 he visited England and helped the antiquarian William Camden with his topographical work Britannia.

The Theatrum orbis terrarum proved immensely popular, running to seven editions by the end of the century; translated and abridged versions also appeared. He was appointed geographer to Philip II despite suspicions that he might have Protestant inclinations.