Humfray Cole facts for kids
Humfray Cole was a clever English craftsman who lived a long time ago. He made amazing scientific tools and was also a skilled engraver. He passed away in 1591.
Life of Humfray Cole
Humfray Cole said he was from the north of England. He worked at the Royal Mint, which made coins. This job, and the things he created, showed he was a very good engineer or "mechanician." Important people like Edward Dyer supported his work. Another person, Gabriel Harvey, praised him as a great craftsman.
In 1572, Humfray Cole engraved a map for a special book called the Bishops' Bible. This map showed the land of Palestine, also known as Canaan. On the map, he proudly wrote about himself: "Humfray Cole, a goldsmith, born in the north of England, working at the Mint in the Tower [of London], 1572."
Cole did not earn much money at the Mint. So, he took on extra jobs for other people. He offered to make any of the tools shown in a book called Pantometria, written by Leonard Digges and Thomas Digges in 1571. He also made instruments for the famous explorer Martin Frobisher.
Cole was very good at engraving mathematical and astronomical tools onto brass. Some of his works are now in the British Museum. One of these is an astrolabe, which is a tool used to tell time and find the positions of stars. This astrolabe once belonged to Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales. Cole also built an armillary sphere, which is a model of the sky and Earth.
William Bourne, another clever person, mentioned Cole. He said Cole was innovative in designing a new type of ship's log. This tool helped sailors measure how fast their ship was moving through the water.
