Alexander von Humboldt
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Summary
Alexander von Humboldt was born in Berlin[1]. He died in Berlin[2]. He worked as a geologist[3], explorer[4], botanist[5], geographer[6], and oceanographer[7]. He ranks in the top 0.67% of human entities by monthly Wikipedia readership (24,041 views/month, #6,736 of 1,000,298).[8]
Key Facts
- Place of burial: Schloss Tegel[9]
- Father: Alexander Georg von Humboldt[10]
- Mother: Marie-Elisabeth von Humboldt[11]
- Country of citizenship: Kingdom of Prussia[12]
- Ethnic group: Germans[13]
- Occupation: volcanologist[14], travel writer[15], meteorologist[16], zoologist[17], naturalist[18], climatologist[19], ethnologist[20], botanical collector[21], ornithologist[22], world traveler[23], economist[24], cartographer[25], astronomer[26], scholar[27]
- Field of work: geobotany[28], economic geography[29], geography[30], meteorology[31], botany[32], zoology[33], physics[34]
- Position held: Geheimrat[35]
- Employer: Friedrich Schiller University Jena[36]
- Educated at: University of Frankfurt an der Oder[37], Freiberg University of Mining and Technology[38], University of Göttingen[39], Friedrich Schiller University Jena[40]
- Doctoral advisor: Georg Christoph Lichtenberg[41]
- Award received: Merit Order of the Bavarian Crown[42], Imperial Order of the Rose[43], Grand Cross of the Order of the Dannebrog[44], Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour[45], Mexican Imperial Orders[46], Grand Cross of the Order of Christ[47], Order of St. Vladimir, 1st class[48], Order of the White Falcon[49], Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus[50], Grand Cross of the Order of Charles III[51], Bavarian Maximilian Order for Science and Art[52], Copley Medal[53], Pour le Mérite for Sciences and Arts order[54], Knight of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky[55]
- Religion or worldview: Lutheranism[56]
- Sex or gender: male[57]
- Doctoral student: Johann Wilhelm Ritter[58], Otto Wilhelm Hermann Abich[59]
Body
Works and Contributions
Things named for Alexander von Humboldt include Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin[60], Humboldt Penguin[61], Humboldt County[62], Humboldt Current[63], Humboldt Forum[64], California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt[65], Humboldt River[66], and he[67].
Why It Matters
Alexander von Humboldt has Wikipedia articles in 30 language editions, a strong signal of global cultural recognition.[68] He is known by 52 alternative names across languages and contexts.[69]
He has been cited as an influence by Charles Darwin[70], a geologist[71], 1809–1882[72], of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland[73], awarded the Royal Medal[74], specialised in biology[75]; Henry David Thoreau[76], a poet[77], 1817–1862[78], of United States[79], awarded the Hall of Fame for Great Americans[80], specialised in writing[81]; Frederic Edwin Church[82], a painter[83], 1826–1900[84], of United States[85], specialised in landscape painting[86]; Johann Moritz Rugendas[87], a painter[88], 1804–1858[89], of Kingdom of Bavaria[90], awarded the Order of the Red Eagle 3rd Class[91]; Frederick Catherwood[92], an explorer[93], 1799–1854[94], of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland[95], specialised in painting[96]; and Adolf Bastian[97], an anthropologist[98], 1826–1905[99], of Bremen[100], awarded the Order of the Red Eagle 2nd Class[101], specialised in ethnography[102].
Works attributed to him include Cosmos[103]. Entities named for him include Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin[60], Humboldt Penguin[61], Humboldt County[62], Humboldt Current[63], Humboldt Forum[64], and California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt[65].
His notable doctoral advisees include Johann Wilhelm Ritter[104] and Hermann von Abich[105].
FAQs
Where was Alexander von Humboldt born?
Alexander von Humboldt was born in Berlin[1].
Where did Alexander von Humboldt die?
Alexander von Humboldt died in Berlin[2].
Who were Alexander von Humboldt's parents?
Alexander von Humboldt's father was Alexander Georg von Humboldt[10]. Alexander von Humboldt's mother was Marie-Elisabeth von Humboldt[11].
What did Alexander von Humboldt do for work?
Alexander von Humboldt worked as a geologist[3], explorer[4], botanist[5], geographer[6], and oceanographer[7].
Where did Alexander von Humboldt go to school?
Alexander von Humboldt was educated at University of Frankfurt an der Oder[37], Freiberg University of Mining and Technology[38], University of Göttingen[39], and Friedrich Schiller University Jena[40].
What awards did Alexander von Humboldt receive?
Honors received include Merit Order of the Bavarian Crown[42], Imperial Order of the Rose[43], Grand Cross of the Order of the Dannebrog[44], and Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour[45].
Who did Alexander von Humboldt influence?
Alexander von Humboldt has been cited as an influence by Charles Darwin[70], Henry David Thoreau[76], Frederic Edwin Church[82], and Johann Moritz Rugendas[87].