Alexander von Humboldt

Friedrich Wilhelm Heinrich Alexander von Humboldt (14 September 1769 – 6 May 1859) was a German polymath, geographer, naturalist, and explorer. He was also a supporter of Romantic philosophy and science. Humboldt helped create the field of biogeography through his work on botanical geography, and he started modern geomagnetic and meteorological monitoring by pushing for long-term geophysical measurements.

From 1799 to 1804, Humboldt traveled across the Americas with French explorer Aimé Bonpland. They journeyed through hard-to-reach and unknown places, discovered where the Orinoco River begins, and in 1802 climbed a very high mountain in Ecuador to a record height for someone from the West at that time.

Humboldt used the word cosmos for his major work called Kosmos. In this book, he tried to connect many areas of science and culture. His ideas helped start the study of ecology and thoughts about taking care of our environment, or environmentalism. He was one of the first to explain how human activities could change the climate, based on what he saw during his travels.

Early life, family and education

Alexander von Humboldt was born in Berlin, Prussia, on September 14, 1769. He grew up in a noble family and was raised in the Lutheran faith. His father served in the Prussian Army and passed away when Alexander was young, leaving him and his brother Wilhelm in the care of their mother.

Schloss Tegel, Berlin, where Alexander and his brother Wilhelm lived for several years

Alexander’s mother wanted the best for her sons and hired excellent teachers for them. She used money she inherited to support Alexander’s future adventures. Alexander loved collecting plants and insects, which earned him the nickname “the little apothecary”. He studied at the University of Göttingen, where he made friends and learned from great scientists. He also traveled with a naturalist to places like England and France, starting his journey as an explorer.

Travels and work in Europe

Schiller, Wilhelm, and Alexander von Humboldt with Goethe in Jena

After finishing his studies in 1792, Alexander von Humboldt began working for the government in the mining department in Bayreuth and the Fichtel Mountains. He was very good at his job, and in his first year, he helped produce more gold than the past eight years combined. Humboldt cared deeply about the miners and even opened a free school for them using his own money. He also wanted to create a fund to help miners if they had accidents.

Humboldt’s work on plants in the mines led to a publication that caught the attention of famous writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The two became good friends and spent time discussing science and nature. They even did experiments together, like one with a frog leg and metals that surprised them all. Humboldt also joined a group of important thinkers in Weimar Classicism and wrote pieces for their magazine. He traveled through many places, including Vienna, Switzerland, and Italy, preparing for his big adventures ahead.

Spanish American expedition, 1799–1804

Humboldt wanted to join a big science trip, so he went to Paris where his brother Wilhelm lived. There, he met people who invited him on adventures, but plans changed. He then met Aimé Bonpland, a botanist, and they decided to travel together.

With permission from the Spanish king, Humboldt and Bonpland sailed to Venezuela in 1799. They explored many places, including climbing volcanoes and traveling along rivers. They also visited Cuba and the Andes mountains, making important discoveries about plants, animals, and the earth.

In Mexico, they studied mines and ancient cultures, learning about the country's history and nature. Later, they visited the United States where President Thomas Jefferson welcomed them. Humboldt shared his knowledge about Mexico, which was useful after the U.S. bought new lands from France.

Humboldt kept detailed diaries of his travels, which helped him write many books about his discoveries. His work helped scientists understand geography, plants, and weather better. He showed how different parts of nature are connected and created maps and charts to share his findings with others.

Scholarly and public recognition

Alexander von Humboldt became very famous during his lifetime. Many important groups and societies around the world wanted him to be a member. He was invited to join groups in America, Britain, and more.

Humboldt received many honors. After Mexico gained independence, leaders there recognized his help to the country. In Berlin, he was given a special job that provided him with money, which helped him support his research. He moved there permanently in 1827 and started studying Earth's magnetism. He also gave public talks that inspired many people. Even after he passed away, celebrations in his honor took place, showing how much people admired his work.

Expedition in Russia, 1829

In 1811 and again in 1818, Alexander von Humboldt was asked to explore parts of Asia, but those plans didn't work out. Finally, when he was in his sixties, he got the chance to travel again. The Russian government invited him to visit the Ural Mountains and asked about using platinum for their money. Humboldt wasn't sure about the platinum idea, but he was very interested in seeing the Urals, especially because he had always wanted to travel to Asia.

Humboldt accepted the invitation and planned a big trip. He brought a few friends, including a professor and a scientist to study tiny creatures in lakes and seas. Humboldt also brought many tools to measure things very accurately. The Russian government helped organize the trip, giving him money and arranging for horses and places to stay. Between May and November 1829, Humboldt and his team traveled over 9,614 miles across Russia. They moved quickly, changing horses often, and the group grew to include more people like a cook and some soldiers for safety. Although the trip was fast, Humboldt made important discoveries, like learning about the height of a big plateau and predicting where diamonds might be found. He wrote about his experiences in books after the trip.

Works

Influence on scientists and artists

Alexander von Humboldt inspired many scientists and artists with his work. He helped young scientists by giving them money, finding them jobs, and publishing their research. One of these scientists, Louis Agassiz, became very famous and even gave a speech in honor of Humboldt when he turned 100 years old.

Humboldt's books and ideas influenced famous people like Charles Darwin, who wrote about his own travels in South America after reading Humboldt. Artists also loved Humboldt's work. Painters such as Johann Moritz Rugendas, Ferdinand Bellermann, and Frederic Edwin Church traveled to Latin America to paint beautiful landscapes, just like Humboldt did. Church's huge painting called The Heart of the Andes became very famous.

Humboldt even helped Ida Laura Pfeiffer, one of the first women to travel around the world twice, by giving her letters to help her on her journeys. His spirit of discovery encouraged many to explore and study the natural world.

Other aspects of Humboldt's life and career

Humboldt and the Prussian monarchy

In the Napoleonic wars, Prussia had to follow France’s rules after signing the Treaty of Tilsit. The king asked Alexander von Humboldt to help his brother, Prince Wilhelm, when they traveled to Paris. Alexander enjoyed living in Paris more than Berlin. Later, he joined kings and leaders in London, Aachen, and Verona for important meetings. Even when the king wanted him in Berlin, Alexander went slowly.

From 1830 to 1848, he often traveled to France, meeting with King Louis Philippe and his friends François Arago and François Guizot.

Representation of indigenous population

Humboldt wrote about South America during a time when many nations were taking control of new lands. Some think he showed the land as empty, mostly helpful to Europeans. Others believe he stood against unfair treatment, criticizing rulers and supporting freedom for local people. He spoke out against unfair treatment of people and shared stories from local people in his writings.

Religion

Some wondered if Humboldt did not believe in a higher power because he did not write much about it in his book Cosmos. But Humboldt said he did believe the world was created and spoke about happiness growing in the future. He respected different beliefs and spoke against unfair laws targeting certain groups.

Sociality

Much of Humboldt's personal life is unknown because he destroyed his private letters. He enjoyed being with people but also liked to travel alone.

Sexuality

Humboldt never married and had many close friendships with both men and women. Some of his friendships with men were very deep, and he wrote strong letters about his feelings. Over time, people have talked about his private life, but ideas differ among historians.

Illness and death

In 1857, Humboldt had a health issue but seemed fine. By 1859, his health worsened, and he passed away peacefully in Berlin at age 89. Many honored him during his funeral.

Honours and namesakes

Many places, animals, and things were named after Alexander von Humboldt after his death. People celebrated his life and work with great enthusiasm. Many species of animals and plants carry his name, showing how much they admired him.

Humboldt received many important awards and honors from countries and societies around the world. He was a member of many famous groups that promoted learning and progress.

Species named after Humboldt

Scientists named many animals and plants after Humboldt because of his important discoveries. Some of these include:

Geographical features named after Humboldt

Several natural places around the world are named after Humboldt, such as:

Humboldt Bay in California
Humboldt Current off the coast of South America
Humboldt River in Nevada
Pico Humboldt in Venezuela

Places named after Humboldt

Many towns, parks, and other places are named after Humboldt, including:

Universities, colleges, and schools

Several schools and universities are named after Humboldt, such as:

Ships

There have been ships named after Humboldt, including one built in 1906 that was later turned into a sailing ship.

Many famous people praised Humboldt’s work, calling him a great scientist and explorer.

Works

Alexander von Humboldt wrote many important books and papers about his discoveries. Some of his most famous works include studies of plants, air, and the natural world. His big book about his travels, called The Voyage to the Equatorial Regions of the New Continent, has many volumes with drawings and information about places he visited.

Humboldt also wrote about the geography of plants and tried to understand how living things are spread out across the Earth. His work helped start the study of how plants and animals live in different areas.