De Mongenet was born at Vesoul in France, and in the university of his town he studied medicine, mathematics, and probably geography or cosmography. There seems to be but little known concerning the family to which François belonged, but such details as it was possible to gather Marcel brought together in a carefully prepared paper.[291] This author thinks it probable that he could be counted among the circle of learned and distinguished men whom Granvella was accustomed to bring together in his palace at Besançon on frequent occasions during the five years he passed in that city after he had given over his administration of the Netherlands. If true, there may here be found a connecting link between De Mongenet and Mercator, remembering that the latter dedicated his globe of 1541 to the father of the distinguished cardinal statesman.[292] The suggestion of Mercator’s influence on De Mongenet appears quite evident on a comparison of the outlines of their globe maps. The Lenox copy of the terrestrial gores (Fig. 63) is dedicated to “Eximio Viro: D:I:P:A Monte Maiore,” while the celestial gores (Fig. 64) carry the dedication “Eximio Viro D. Gabrieli a Tiesbach.” Marcel is of the opinion that the dedication of the first to “Monte Maiore” refers to a prelate of the illustrious house of Granmont, whose name in the sixteenth century was often spelled Grandmont, and that Gabrieli Tiesbach (Diesbach) belonged to a family of Besançon, originally from Freiburg, and that he was a knight of St. George. The author and date legend of the first reads “Faciebat Franciscus De Mongenet anno 1552,” while that of the second reads “Elaborabat Franciscus De Mongenet. Anno 1552.” The gores of each map as printed measure from pole to pole 13.7 cm., the length of the equatorial line being 27.5 cm. Around each set there is a narrow black border. A zodiacal circle is likewise printed on the first sheet 5 cm. in width, and of sufficient length to encompass the gores when mounted, being divided into twelve parts, in which, in regular order, are the figures of the twelve zodiacal constellations. With but few exceptions the several inscriptions are in small capitals, and are well executed. [Illustration: Fig. 63. Terrestrial Globe Gores of François de Mongenet, 1552.] [Illustration: Fig. 64. Celestial Globe Gores of François de Mongenet, 1552.]