Willem Janszoon Blaeu: Life and Legacy Early Life and Education Born: 1571, possibly in Alkmaar or Uitgeest, Netherlands. Willem Janszoon Blaeu’s early life was rooted in the family's herring trade business. However, his interests soon shifted towards more intellectual pursuits. He developed a keen interest in mathematics and astronomy, leading him to seek guidance from Adriaan Anthonisz, a surveyor and astronomer who became his scientific advisor. In 1592, at the age of 23, Blaeu moved to Amsterdam intending to further his involvement in the herring trade but quickly prioritized hi…