Celebrating Alexander von Humboldt 250: Polymath, Germany's Greatest Universal Scientist b. 1769
Last edited Mon Sep 9, 2019, 09:25 PM - Edit history (3)
(DW/Deutsche Welle, Sept. 9, 19).
Happy birthday, Humboldt! Alexander von Humboldt was a true polymath: a scientist, thought leader, cosmopolitan, explorer and adventurer who left his mark all over the world. Especially in South America, the German universal scientist is still popular, esteemed and omnipresent today.
Many animals and plants, glaciers, the Humboldt Current, mountains and numerous cities all over the world were named after him. Even an area on the moon, the Catena Humboldt crater, carries his name.
The visionary would have turned 250 years old on September 14 — a reason to celebrate! With our Expedition Humboldt we want to show you what an extraordinary man Alexander von Humboldt was. Join us on a journey of discovery and follow in Humboldt's footsteps. The website will be updated regularly with new stories and adventures from our Humboldt reporters...
- Becoming an American: [After a 5-year tour of Latin America (1799-1804)] instead of heading back to Spain, Humboldt decided to make one last stop — the United States. Most likely he wanted to avoid taking a Spanish ship, since the country was again at war with Britain. Warships and pirates were on the prowl and Humboldt probably feared for his precious cargo. Whatever his reason, he sailed to Philadelphia.
In America, President Thomas Jefferson had just concluded the Louisiana Purchase, which nearly doubled the size of the country. He was looking for facts and figures about what he had just bought. Humboldt supported by letters of introduction and an invitation to Washington was a perfect source with his detailed maps and fresh data. The two hit it off and became lifelong friends. Humboldt had experienced a country that had thrown away its king, a country of true democracy. It was a quick love affair, but he was hooked and would later call himself "half-American." But it was time to go home and after six weeks Humboldt finally departed for Europe...
READ MORE, https://www.dw.com/en/top-stories/expedition-humboldt/s-46674363
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