Petrus Bertius
Encyclopedia
Petrus Bertius (14 November 1565–13 October 1629) was a Flemish
theologian, historian, geographer and cartographer. Bertius published much in mathematics, and historical and theological works, but he is now best known as cartographer with his edition of the Geographia of Ptolemy
(based on Mercator
's edition from 1578), and for its atlas.
(Alveringem), the son of a Flemish preacher Pieter Michielszoon Bardt, who left Flanders for religious exile in London around 1568, with his family.. In 1577 Petrus Bertius returned to the Netherlands, to study at the University of Leiden. He supported himself by tutoring younger students and continued travelling in Europe. In 1593 he was appointed to subregent of the Leiden Statencollege, marrying in the same year Maritgen, daughter of Johannes Kuchlinus, the first regent of the Statencollege, whom he would succeeded after his death in 1606 as a regent. He was also connected by marriage to Jodocus Hondius
and Pieter van der Keere, his brothers-in-law and both cartographers, and this would influence his later life.
, and spoke at his funeral in 1609. A controversy arose with Francis Gomarus, the chief opponent of Arminianism
, on the basis of the published version of the funeral oration.
In 1612 Bertius published Hymenaeus desertor, a Latin work that went further than Arminius in theology, against the advice of fellow Remonstrants. The Hymenaeus desertor was widely circulated, but was unpopular: William Louis, Count of Nassau-Dillenburg
disliked it, and Johan van Oldenbarnevelt with other politicians felt that Bertius had gone against them. Bertius persisted, however, in 1613 with a Dutch translation, which he reprinted in 1615 in Leiden. Eventually Bertius lost his teaching position, and was also forbidden to give private lessons .
He became in 1620 a convert to the Roman Catholic Church, and also whereupon professor of rhetoric at the Collège de Boncourt, a part of the University of Paris
. In 1622 Louis XIII set up a new personal chair in mathematical sciences in the royal college for Bertius, and granted him the title of royal historian. He died in Paris.
Flemish
Flemish can refer to anything related to Flanders, and may refer directly to the following articles:*Flemish, an informal, though linguistically incorrect, name of any kind of the Dutch language as spoken in Belgium....
theologian, historian, geographer and cartographer. Bertius published much in mathematics, and historical and theological works, but he is now best known as cartographer with his edition of the Geographia of Ptolemy
Ptolemy
Claudius Ptolemy , was a Roman citizen of Egypt who wrote in Greek. He was a mathematician, astronomer, geographer, astrologer, and poet of a single epigram in the Greek Anthology. He lived in Egypt under Roman rule, and is believed to have been born in the town of Ptolemais Hermiou in the...
(based on Mercator
Mercator
Mercator may refer to:* Marius Mercator , a Catholic ecclesiastical writer* Gerardus Mercator, a 16th-century Flemish cartographer** Mercator projection, a cartographic projection devised by Gerardus Mercator...
's edition from 1578), and for its atlas.
Early life
He was born in BeverenBeveren
Beveren is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the towns of Beveren proper, Doel, Haasdonk, Kallo, Kieldrecht, Melsele, Verrebroek and Vrasene....
(Alveringem), the son of a Flemish preacher Pieter Michielszoon Bardt, who left Flanders for religious exile in London around 1568, with his family.. In 1577 Petrus Bertius returned to the Netherlands, to study at the University of Leiden. He supported himself by tutoring younger students and continued travelling in Europe. In 1593 he was appointed to subregent of the Leiden Statencollege, marrying in the same year Maritgen, daughter of Johannes Kuchlinus, the first regent of the Statencollege, whom he would succeeded after his death in 1606 as a regent. He was also connected by marriage to Jodocus Hondius
Jodocus Hondius
Jodocus Hondius , sometimes called Jodocus Hondius the Elder to distinguish him from his son Henricus Hondius II, was a Flemish artist, engraver, and cartographer...
and Pieter van der Keere, his brothers-in-law and both cartographers, and this would influence his later life.
Arminian
Bertius was a friend of Jacobus ArminiusJacobus Arminius
Jacobus Arminius , the Latinized name of the Dutch theologian Jakob Hermanszoon from the Protestant Reformation period, served from 1603 as professor in theology at the University of Leiden...
, and spoke at his funeral in 1609. A controversy arose with Francis Gomarus, the chief opponent of Arminianism
Arminianism
Arminianism is a school of soteriological thought within Protestant Christianity based on the theological ideas of the Dutch Reformed theologian Jacobus Arminius and his historic followers, the Remonstrants...
, on the basis of the published version of the funeral oration.
In 1612 Bertius published Hymenaeus desertor, a Latin work that went further than Arminius in theology, against the advice of fellow Remonstrants. The Hymenaeus desertor was widely circulated, but was unpopular: William Louis, Count of Nassau-Dillenburg
William Louis, Count of Nassau-Dillenburg
William Louis of Nassau-Dillenburg was Count of Nassau-Dillenburg from 1606 to 1620, and stadtholder of Friesland, Groningen, and Drenthe. He was the eldest son of John VI, Count of Nassau-Dillenburg.William Louis served as a cavalry officer under William the Silent...
disliked it, and Johan van Oldenbarnevelt with other politicians felt that Bertius had gone against them. Bertius persisted, however, in 1613 with a Dutch translation, which he reprinted in 1615 in Leiden. Eventually Bertius lost his teaching position, and was also forbidden to give private lessons .
Later life
In 1618 Bertius was given an appointment as a cosmographer to the court of Louis XIII. His career in cartography had started in 1598, with the publication of a miniature atlas Caert thresoor, which he translated as Tabulae contractae (1600). His Theatrum geographiae veteris had commended him to King Louis. When his academic prospects in the Netherlands were cut down, he went to France.He became in 1620 a convert to the Roman Catholic Church, and also whereupon professor of rhetoric at the Collège de Boncourt, a part of the University of Paris
University of Paris
The University of Paris was a university located in Paris, France and one of the earliest to be established in Europe. It was founded in the mid 12th century, and officially recognized as a university probably between 1160 and 1250...
. In 1622 Louis XIII set up a new personal chair in mathematical sciences in the royal college for Bertius, and granted him the title of royal historian. He died in Paris.
Works
- 1609: Liick-oratie over de doot van den Eerweerdighen ende wytberoemden Heere Jacobus Arminius
- 1612: Hymenaeus desertor: sive de sanctorum apostasia problemata duo. (1: An fieri possit ut justus deserat justitam suam? 2: An quae deseritur fuerit vera justitia?)
- 1616: Commentariorum Rerum Germanicarum libri tres, including commentary on the Tabula PeutingerianaTabula PeutingerianaThe Tabula Peutingeriana is an itinerarium showing the cursus publicus, the road network in the Roman Empire. The original map of which this is a unique copy was last revised in the fourth or early fifth century. It covers Europe, parts of Asia and North Africa...
- 1619: Theatri Geographiae Veteris
- 1625: Notitia Chorographica Episcopatuum Galliae