1530?-1591

British engraver and goldsmith who was considered the most renowned scientific instrument maker of sixteenth century England. Cole's work at the Royal Mint as an engraver and his experience with metalworking led him to work as an instrument maker. He created a wide variety of mathematical instruments. Cole's masterpiece was a 2-foot (61 cm) diameter astrolabe, dated 1574, but he also designed intricate sundials, including a ring dial (c. 1575) and unusual quadrant dials (1574).