Many parts of the North and South American continents and most of the European continent are still named after Humboldt. Humboldt has the distinction of having the most places on earth named after an individual. A person who is named after many such places is a scientist.
It was Humboldt who gave the basic vision to write Darwin’s book ‘On the Origin Of the Species’ which turned world history and the view of science upside down. He classified the system of nature around the world based on its geography and climate. laid the foundation for today’s studies of the Earth’s magnetic field. He explained the dangers of climate change that day. He inspired the younger generations and was the source of many innovations. Humboldt was born in present-day Germany (then Prussia), on September 14, 1769, the son of an army officer.
Humboldt lost his father when he was 9 years old. He fulfilled his mother’s wish that by studying economics he could easily get high positions in the government. The late 1700s was a time when many new ideas were springing up across the European continent. The new ideas and debates on them were having a widespread impact on the youth of the day. It was then that Humboldt met Georg Borster. That meeting shaped his future career. Together they traveled to England, Netherlands and France. It was also Humboldt’s first voyage.
At the time of his mother’s death in 1796, Humboldt was collecting data on the topography of the Swiss Alps. The naturally inquisitive Humboldt conveyed the message through his life that the explorers should leave the room. He said that the vast nature is waiting to teach us all the secrets of science.