Alexander Von Humboldt(1769-1859)
Alexander von Humboldt spent the first years of his life in Tegel Palace in Berlin, the von Humboldt family estate. Together with his brother Wilhelm, he was taught by a private teacher during his childhood. Between 1787 and 1792, Alexander von Humboldt studied first at the universities of Frankfurt/Oder and Göttingen, later at the Hamburg Commercial Academy and at the Mining Academy in Freiberg. During this time Humboldt went on several study trips. From 1792 to 1796 he worked as an assessor in the Prussian mining service, he traveled extensively and was sent on diplomatic missions. He was particularly interested in scientific research into geography and the distribution of plants. In 1796 he left the Prussian service. After completing his studies, von Humboldt undertook several trips to conduct scientific research. In 1797 he met Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Friedrich von Schiller.
During a stay in Paris, Humboldt met the doctor and botanist Aime Bonpland, who would later become his companion on several trips. From 1799 to 1804, Humboldt and Bonpland traveled to the Spanish provinces of South America: Venezuela, Cuba, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Mexico and back to Europe via the USA. In 75 days they covered 2,000 km on the Orinoco, explored the Amazon and proved that there is a connection between the Orinoco and the Amazon. In Ecuador, Alexander von Humboldt almost climbed to the summit of the Chimborazo volcano, which is 5,800 meters above sea level. Von Humboldt held a mountaineering altitude record for some time. During his trip he cataloged over 60,000 plants. He also investigated various scientific aspects: he recorded population statistics, examined political and social conditions, and was interested in geology, zoology, meteorology and linguistic research.
Alexander von Humboldt hardly missed any research area during his travels; his thirst for knowledge seemed inexhaustible. Von Humboldt continued to conduct scientific field research in the areas of physics, chemistry, geology, mineralogy, volcanology (overcoming Neptunism), botany (he founded plant geography), zoology, climatology (isotherms), oceanography and astronomy, but also on questions of economic geography, ethnology and demography. After his return, von Humboldt began working on his work "Voyage aux regions equinoxales du Nouveau Continent" in 1805 (until 1834). In 1805, von Humboldt received his doctorate from the University of Frankfurt/Oder, and a short time later he moved to Paris, where he lived mainly until 1827. Back in Berlin, he gave lectures on physical descriptions of the earth at the university there and also gave 16 public lectures at the Singakademie.
Now a respected scientist and scholar, von Humboldt began a nine-month journey to Russia and Siberia in 1829. After this trip he returned to Berlin, where he worked as a scientist until his death. He always wanted to make his scientific findings understandable to the people. "With knowledge comes thought, and with thought comes seriousness and strength." Today, over 1,000 plants, animals, mountains, rivers and products bear von Humboldt's name.
During a stay in Paris, Humboldt met the doctor and botanist Aime Bonpland, who would later become his companion on several trips. From 1799 to 1804, Humboldt and Bonpland traveled to the Spanish provinces of South America: Venezuela, Cuba, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Mexico and back to Europe via the USA. In 75 days they covered 2,000 km on the Orinoco, explored the Amazon and proved that there is a connection between the Orinoco and the Amazon. In Ecuador, Alexander von Humboldt almost climbed to the summit of the Chimborazo volcano, which is 5,800 meters above sea level. Von Humboldt held a mountaineering altitude record for some time. During his trip he cataloged over 60,000 plants. He also investigated various scientific aspects: he recorded population statistics, examined political and social conditions, and was interested in geology, zoology, meteorology and linguistic research.
Alexander von Humboldt hardly missed any research area during his travels; his thirst for knowledge seemed inexhaustible. Von Humboldt continued to conduct scientific field research in the areas of physics, chemistry, geology, mineralogy, volcanology (overcoming Neptunism), botany (he founded plant geography), zoology, climatology (isotherms), oceanography and astronomy, but also on questions of economic geography, ethnology and demography. After his return, von Humboldt began working on his work "Voyage aux regions equinoxales du Nouveau Continent" in 1805 (until 1834). In 1805, von Humboldt received his doctorate from the University of Frankfurt/Oder, and a short time later he moved to Paris, where he lived mainly until 1827. Back in Berlin, he gave lectures on physical descriptions of the earth at the university there and also gave 16 public lectures at the Singakademie.
Now a respected scientist and scholar, von Humboldt began a nine-month journey to Russia and Siberia in 1829. After this trip he returned to Berlin, where he worked as a scientist until his death. He always wanted to make his scientific findings understandable to the people. "With knowledge comes thought, and with thought comes seriousness and strength." Today, over 1,000 plants, animals, mountains, rivers and products bear von Humboldt's name.