Alexander von Humboldt
Prussian geographer, naturalist and explorer (1769–1859)
1769 — 1859
Quick Facts
Profession
Prussian geographer, naturalist and explorer (1769–1859)
Born
September 14, 1769
Died
1859 (age ~90)
Name Origin
Spanish
Timeline
astronomer, naturalist, economist
Kingdom of PrussiaBorn in BerlinDied in Berlin
1769
Born in Berlin (1769-09-14)
1815
AwardForeign Member of the Royal Society
1852
AwardCopley Medal
1853
AwardBavarian Maximilian Order for Science and Art
1859
Died in Berlin
About
Friedrich Wilhelm Heinrich Alexander von Humboldt was a German polymath, geographer, naturalist, explorer, and proponent of Romantic philosophy and science. He was the younger brother of the Prussian minister, philosopher, and linguist Wilhelm von Humboldt (1767–1835). Humboldt's quantitative work on botanical geography laid the foundation for the field of biogeography, while his advocacy of long-term systematic geophysical measurement pioneered modern geomagnetic and meteorological monitoring. Humboldt and Carl Ritter are both regarded as the founders of modern geography as they established it as an independent scientific discipline.
Read more on Wikipedia →Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Alexander von Humboldt?+
Friedrich Wilhelm Heinrich Alexander von Humboldt was a German polymath, geographer, naturalist, explorer, and proponent of Romantic philosophy and science. He was the younger brother of the Prussian minister, philosopher, and linguist Wilhelm von Humboldt (1767–1835). Humboldt's quantitative work o
What does the name Alexander mean?+
The name Alexander means "A male given name from Ancient Greek, most famously held by Alexander the Great.. Etymology: *h₂lek- Borrowed from Alexander, from Ἀλέξανδρος, from to defend + ἀνδρ-, the stem of man. Alexandre.". It is of Spanish origin.
When was Alexander von Humboldt born?+
Alexander von Humboldt was born on September 14, 1769.
When did Alexander von Humboldt die?+
Alexander von Humboldt died in 1859, at approximately 90 years of age.
Name Meaning
A male given name from Ancient Greek, most famously held by Alexander the Great.. Etymology: *h₂lek- Borrowed from Alexander, from Ἀλέξανδρος, from to defend + ἀνδρ-, the stem of man. Alexandre.
The name Alexander is of Spanish origin, meaning "A male given name from Ancient Greek, most famously held by Alexander the Great.. Etymology: *h₂lek- Borrowed from Alexander, from Ἀλέξανδρος, from to defend + ἀνδρ-, the stem of man. Alexandre.". It is traditionally a male name.
Other famous people named Alexander
Alexander Graham Bell
Canadian-American scientist inventor of telephone (1847–1922)
Alexander Solzhenitsyn
Russian writer, publicist, poet and politician (1918–2008)
Alexander Fleming
Scottish biologist, pharmacologist, botanist, and Nobel laureate (1881–1955)
Alexander Pope
English poet (1688–1744)
Alexander Alexander of the Netherlands
King of the Netherlands (born 1967)
Alexander Hamilton
American Founding Father and statesman (1755/1757–1804)
Alexander — September 14, 1769
Zodiac & Calendar Signs
Western Zodiac
Virgo
Analytical, kind, hardworking
Earth · Mercury · Aug 23 – Sep 22
Chinese Zodiac
Ox
Diligent, dependable, strong
Earth · Yin
Mayan Tzolkin
7 Lamat
Star — harmony, beauty, abundance
Celtic Tree
Vine
Empathetic, refined, romantic
Ogham: Muin · Sep 2 – Sep 29
Birthstone: Sapphire — Truth, loyalty
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— someone far away
Stopped here. Glad I did.
— a passerby
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