Martín Cortés De Albacar

Place: Bujaraloz

Born: 1510

Death: 1582

Biography:

Martín Cortés de Albacar was a Spanish cosmographer born in Bujaraloz, Spain in 1510. He was raised by a family of sailors and navigators, which likely influenced his interest in the art of navigation. In 1551, he published the standard navigational textbook Arte de navegar (also known as Breve compendio), which became the earliest known English navigation manual in 1561. Cortés taught cosmography and the art of navigation to pilots in Cádiz and shared his knowledge with the Spanish Navy. His works greatly influenced the wars fought during and after his death.