1769-1859

German-born and internationally renowned natural historian, traveler, and diplomat. Humboldt was a student at several German universities. From 1799-1804, he visited Latin America, studying natural history and geology (with botanist Aimé J. A. Bonpland). He demonstrated the connection between the Orinoco and Amazon rivers. He also accomplished pioneering work in plant geography, and he established a system of meteorological observation stations in Eurasia and the British colonies. In 1845 the first volume of Kosmos, a summary of his views concerning the physical history of the world and the complexity and unity of nature, appeared; five volumes in all were published. See long biography on p. 77.