Anthonisz, Adriaan

1. Dates

Born: probably in Alkmaar, c.1543

Died: Alkmaar, 20 Nov. 1620

Dateinfo: Birth Uncertain

Lifespan: 77

2. Father

Occupation: No Information

No information on financial status.

3. Nationality

Birth: Dutch

Career: Dutch

Death: Dutch

4. Education

Schooling: No University

Nothing known. Before 1571, he married Suida Dircksd.

5. Religion

Affiliation: Calvinist

6. Scientific Disciplines

Primary: Engineering, Cartography, Mathematics

Subordinate: Astronomy, Instrumentation

Already in 1568 he prepared a map of the Berger lake.

As a surveyor, he was commission in 1573 to prepare plans

for the enlargement and strengthening of the city, and to

carry the plans out.

In 1578 he was summoned to Utrecht as master of fortification, and in 1579 entrusted by the States of Holland with strengthening of Naarden and Muiden. He had other such tasks in the 1580's. He was the chief of fortifications of the United Netherlands in 86, 87, 88, 90-96, and he did much work on fortification under the Princes of Orange.

At the request of the Prince he composed a piece on the quadratuare of the circle in 1584. He did other mathematical work.

He also wrote on the calendar, on sun dialing (including the problem of determining latitude from the length of shadows. He wrote as well on the astrolabe.

7. Means of Support

Primary: Government

Secondary: Patronage, City Magistrate

Cartographer and miltary engineer for the States of Holland.

Between 1582 and 1601 elected burgomaster of Alkmaar several times.

He was both engineer of the states of Holland and mathematician to the Prince of Orange around 1580.

8. Patronage

Types: Court, City Magistrates

9. Technological Involvement

Types: Military Engineering, Cartography, Instruments

Built fortifications in the war against Spain, and drew charts of cities and military works.

He made some sort of instrument that showed the position of the moon.

10. Scientific Societies

Memberships: None

A friend of the mathematician van Ceulen.

Sources

1. C. de Waard, "Anthonisz," Nieuw Nederlandsch Biographisch Woordenboek, I (Leiden, 1911), 155-8. [ref. CT1143.M72]

Compiled by:

Richard S. Westfall

Department of History and Philosophy of Science

Indiana University