Pedro Nunes

Pedro Nunes (1502 to 1578), Latin name Petrus Nonius, was a Portuguese mathematician, cosmographer and professor, born in Alcácer do Sal and probably from a New Christian family of Jewish origin. Considered one of the greatest mathematicians of his time, he was the first to approach navigation and cartography with mathematical tools and the first to propose the loxodrome, or rhumb line. He also invented several measuring devices, among them the nonius, named for his Latin surname, from which the Vernier scale was derived. He studied at the University of Salamanca, took a doctorate in medicine in 1532, held teaching posts at the University of Lisbon, and from 1537 taught mathematics at the University of Coimbra until 1562. He was appointed Royal Cosmographer in 1529 and Chief Royal Cosmographer in 1547, a post he held until his death.