More influential than Darwin? Meet the guy Humboldt Park was named for (graphic)

In the mid 1800s a German naturalist and explorer, Alexander von Humboldt, warned of man-made climate changes caused by deforestation and discussed the eventual migration of humanity to the stars. He lamented that it was likely that men would take along their bad habits and destroy them too.

By the mid 1900s his contributions were faded and mostly forgotten. Despite Humboldt’s vast collection of scientific observations, influence on the study of meteorology, geography, ocean currents and magnetism, two world wars and the ensuing anti-German sentiment pushed him toward obscurity in the English-speaking world.

Though he is less well-known today, Humboldt’s German legacy lead to the naming of a neighborhood and park by immigrants in the mid 1800s. A new book, published this month, aims to spread the word on Humboldt’s contributions, which the author argues are as significant as Charles Darwin and other multidisciplinary icons. “The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt’s New World,” by Andrea Wulf (read a Nationnal Geographic Q&A with the author here.) tells Humboldt’s story.

Meet Alexander von Humboldt

Born Sept. 14, 1769, in Berlin, Humboldt died May 6, 1859, also in Berlin. He was the son of an officer in the army of Frederick the Great. Humboldt’s mother was born into a family of Huguenots (French Protestants) who left France after Louis XIV’s revocation of religious liberty for Protestants in 1685

Originally studied economics at the University of Frankfurt an deer Oder. He later received some engineering training in Berlin and became passionately interested in botany.

1799 to 1804

Using the inheritance received upon his mother’s death, Humboldt financed his own expedition to South America, covering more than 6,000 miles by foot, horseback and canoe.

Following the expedition Humboldt was celebrated in a growing network of scientists. He met with two presidents of the U.S., Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.

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1829

Humboldt visited Russia and Siberia. Pledging not to comment on the political situation in Russia, he and his companions traveled as far as the Chinese frontier, making and noting scientific observations. He also continued to make observations regarding magnetic fields. Darwin, according to Wulf’s interview with National Geographic, said he would never had set out for the Galapagos were it not for Humboldt’s writings.

During the last 25 years of his life Humboldt worked on “Kosmos,” a compilation of his scientific observations. Four volumes were published during his lifetime.

1859

Humboldt died while working on the fifth volume. He was 90, still as vital and enthusiastic and with a memory unimpaired by aging.

1869

The Humboldt Park neighborhood in Chicago was initially settled by German immigrants, and was named after the naturalist and writer. The city of Chicago annexed the community the same year.

Oct. 16, 1892

Alexander von Humboldt monument, sculpted by German artist Felix Gorling, is installed in the park. The monument was paid for by German-born brewer Francis Dewes.