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.

Introduction

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.

Related Topics:
1799 - 1804 - South America - Justus von Liebig - 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.

Related Topics:
Humboldt Current - Humboldt River - East - 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.

Related Topics:
Humboldt County, California - Humboldt County, Iowa - Lunar mare - Mare Humboldtianum - Asteroid - 54 Alexandra - 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.

Related Topics:
Alexander von Humboldt Foundation - Continue - Hyperinflation - 1920s - World War II

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