Alexander von Humboldt

Friedrich Heinrich Alexander, Baron von Humboldt, (September 14, 1769, Berlin–May 6, 1859, Berlin), was a German naturalist and explorer, and the younger brother of the Prussian minister, philosopher and linguist Wilhelm von Humboldt.

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Brief description of Humboldt's travels

Between 1799 and 1804, von Humboldt travelled South America, exploring and describing it from a scientific point of view for the first time. In his five-volume work Kosmos, he attempted a physical description of the world. Humboldt supported and worked with other scientists, among them Justus von Liebig and Louis Agassiz.

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Species and places named after Humboldt

As a result of his explorations, von Humboldt described many geographical features and species of life that were hitherto unknown to Europeans. Species named after him include:

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• Spheniscus humboldti - Humboldt penguin
• Lilium humboldtii - Humboldt's lily
• Phragmipedium humboldtii - an orchid
• Quercus humboldtii - South American Oak
• Conepatus humboldtii - Humboldt's Hog-nosed Skunk
• Annona humboldtii - Neotropical tree or shrub
• Annona humboldtiana - Neotropical tree or shrub
• Utricularia Humboldtii - a bladderwort
• Geranium humboldtii- a cranebill

Features named after him include the Humboldt Current, Humboldt River, the East and West Humboldt Range.

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U. S. counties named for him are Humboldt County, California, and Humboldt County, Iowa, as is Humboldt Park on the west side of Chicago. In addition, a lunar mare named Mare Humboldtianum is named after him, as is the asteroid 54 Alexandra. See also Humboldt.

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The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation

After his death, his friends and colleagues created the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (Stiftung in German) to continue von Humboldt's generous support of young scientists. Although the original endowment was lost in the German hyperinflation of the 1920s, and again as a result of World War II, the Foundation has been re-endowed by the German government and plays an important role in attracting foreign researchers to work in Germany and enabling German researchers to work abroad for a period.

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September 14: September 14 is the 257th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (258th in leap years). There are 108 days remaining....

1769: 1769 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar)....

Berlin: :This article is about the city in Germany. For other uses, see Berlin (disambiguation)....

Alexander von Humboldt related Images and Photos (experimental)

Alexander Von Humboldt Engraved by C. Cook	Baron Alexander Von Humboldt circa 1835	Baron Alexander Von Humboldt in His Study	Alexander Von Humboldt German Scientist and Traveller Depicted
Alexander Von Humboldt German Scientist and Traveller Portrait Dated 18 April 1824	Germans Tall Ship Alexander Von Humbolt	Alexander	Alexander
Alexander	Alexander	Alexander I	Alexander I