Martín Cortés de Albacar (1510–1582) was a Spanish cosmographer.p131 Antonio Barrera-Osorio ''Experiencing nature: the Spanish American empire and the early scientific revolution;'' University of Texas Press, 2006 In 1551 he published the standard navigational textbook ''Arte de navegar'' (also known as ''Breve compendio''). A decade later (1561), ''Arte de navegar'' became the earliest known English navigation manual up to date with all of the strategies used at the time. Cortés was born in Bujaraloz, province of

Zaragoza Zaragoza (), traditionally known in English as Saragossa ( ), is the capital city of the province of Zaragoza and of the autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Aragon, Spain. It lies by the Ebro river and its tributaries, the ...

Aragon Aragon ( , ; Spanish and ; ) is an autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community in Spain, coextensive with the medieval Kingdom of Aragon. In northeastern Spain, the Aragonese autonomous community comprises three provinces of Spain, ...

. He was raised by a family of sailors and navigators. 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 Cádiz ( , , ) is a city in Spain and the capital of the Province of Cádiz in the Autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Andalusia. It is located in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula off the Atlantic Ocean separated fr ...

. 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.

''Art of Navigation''

Cortés' book, ''Breve compendio,''... ''Arte de navegar'' was first published in 1551 and then promoted by Steven Borough who brought the book to England in 1558. He had the book translated into English by Richard Eden and published in 1561 entitled ''The Art of Navigation.'' As such, it became a very popular and the first English manual of navigation.Andrew Hadfield, ' Eden, Richard (c.1520–1576)', ''

Oxford Dictionary of National Biography The ''Dictionary of National Biography'' (''DNB'') is a standard work of reference on notable figures from History of the British Isles, British history, published since 1885. The updated ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'' (''ODNB'') ...

'', Oxford University Press, Sept 2004 It was the primary text for European navigation throughout the 16thC and the early 17thC. Being revised and extending through nine editions from the years 1561 to 1630. It was enjoyed by people such as Martin Frobisher and

Francis Drake Sir Francis Drake ( 1540 – 28 January 1596) was an English Exploration, explorer and privateer best known for making the Francis Drake's circumnavigation, second circumnavigation of the world in a single expedition between 1577 and 1580 (bein ...

. ''Arte de navegar'' was a practical book in which Cortés discussed, in a concise manner, navigation, cosmography and problems such as

magnetic declination Magnetic declination (also called magnetic variation) is the angle between magnetic north and true north at a particular location on the Earth's surface. The angle can change over time due to polar wandering. Magnetic north is the direction th ...

for which he hypothesised a Celestial magnetic pole. He included many illustrations and models for making instruments.Antonio Barrera,

Colgate University Colgate University is a Private university, private college in Hamilton, New York, United States. The Liberal arts colleges in the United States, liberal arts college was founded in 1819 as the Baptist Education Society of the State of New York ...

Navigational Manual of Cortés
The text contained the earliest known description of the

Nocturnal Nocturnality is a ethology, behavior in some non-human animals characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal", versus diurnality, diurnal meaning the opposite. Nocturnal creatur ...

Harriet Wynter and Anthony Turner, ''Scientific Instruments'', Studio Vista, 1975, and how to make and use a sea astrolabeSwanick, 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 Cortés' calculations were critical in allowing explorers to ascertain their location when out of sight of land. 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.G. L'E. Turner, 'Bourne, William (c.1535–1582)', ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'', Oxford University Press, 2004 He died at the age of 72.

Biography

Cortés moved to

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. In addition to being a teacher, Cortés was known for his ties with the Spanish Navy. 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 The Battle of Pavia, fought on the morning of 24 February 1525, was the decisive engagement of the Italian War of 1521–1526 between the Kingdom of France and the Habsburg Empire of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, Holy Roman Empero ...

(1525), Battle of Preceza (1538), or

Battle of Lepanto The Battle of Lepanto was a naval warfare, naval engagement that took place on 7 October 1571 when a fleet of the Holy League (1571), Holy League, a coalition of Catholic states arranged by Pope Pius V, inflicted a major defeat on the fleet of t ...

(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. 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

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cortes De Albacar, Martin 1510 births 1582 deaths 16th-century Spanish astronomers Spanish maritime navigators