Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859) began his career in the Prussian Department of Mines, but hoped to be a scientific explorer. He succeeded in gaining permission to visit the Spanish territories in Central and South America, then practically unknown in Europe. From 1799 he and the French botanist Aimé Bonpland traveled from Venezuela to Mexico, making discoveries in botany, zoology and geology and original observations of the geography, demographics and politics of the region. Humboldt published the results of the journey in Paris over a period of 29 years. Images below and to the right from:
Alexander von Humboldt.
Voyage de Humboldt et Bonpland. Observations de Zoologie et
d'anatomie comparée.
Paris: F. Schoell [et al.], 1811. (double page spread: 14x22 inches) The George Peabody Library
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Monkey - Simia ursina. Volume 1, Plate 30. | |||
 Butterflies. Voyage de Humboldt et Bonpland. Observations de Zoologie et d'anatomie comparée. Volume 2. Plate 41. |
 Shells. Volume 2, Plate 57. |
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Images below from:
Alexander von Humboldt
Voyage de Humboldt et Bonpland. Atlas géographique et physique
des régions équinoxiales du nouveau continent.
Paris: F. Schoell [et al.], 1814. (double page spread: 22x32 inches) The George Peabody Library
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Perpetual snows in different latitudes. Atlas géographique et physique des régions équinoxiales du nouveau continent. (Detail below) |
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 Volcano of Jorullo. Atlas géographique et physique des régions équinoxiales du nouveau continent. (Detail below) |
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Peak of Chimborazo. Atlas géographique et physique des régions équinoxiales du nouveau continent. (Detail below) |
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Last updated: 5/2/00 by knox@jhu.edu |
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