The World is a Delicate Network of Connections: The Legacy of Alexander von Humboldt
Back in the old times - great minds actually went to explore the wonders of our planet.
"He who wants to sell a blind horse praises its legs." - German proverb
In the annals of scientific history, few names shine as brightly yet have faded so inexplicably as that of Alexander von Humboldt. This is the story of a man who influenced Charles Darwin to embark on his journey to South America and inspired Simón Bolívar to wage war against the Spanish. New York City once closed down to celebrate his birthday, but today, his name is rarely remembered.
The Forgotten Explorer
In Andrea Wulf's wonderful book about the forgotten explorer, Alexander von Humboldt, she described his journeys in South America in a way that almost anyone with a love for nature and travel cannot escape the emotions rising from the pages of the book. Chapter after chapter, her writing ignites in the reader's heart a mixture of envy and joy spreading to the body's walls.
To this day, more things are named after Humboldt than any other person who ever lived:
- Cities, rivers, and lakes
- Mountain ranges and parks
- Waterfalls
- Hundreds of plants and animals
- Even "Mare Humboldtianum" – an area on the moon
Let's embark on a brief journey into Humboldt's rich and wonderful world.
Early Life and Expeditions
Alexander von Humboldt was born on September 14, 1769, to a wealthy family that spent winters in Berlin. His father died suddenly, and his mother showed little affection for raising children, compensating with excellent education for missing emotions.
As he grew older and after his mother's death, he moved to France and tried for about two years to convince the French government to grant him the opportunity to go on research expeditions. After despairing of the French reluctance, he reached the King of Spain and convinced him to join one of the expeditions. Humboldt promised to provide all the findings he would collect to Spain and even subsidize his journey from his private funds.
On July 16, 1799, the coast of New Andalusia appeared on the horizon - it was part of what is today Venezuela. Spain's hold in America extended from California to southern Chile - everything belonged to the Spanish crown sitting in Madrid. An empire on steroids.
Discoveries and Observations
The landscapes of America fascinated Humboldt. Every tree, bird, mountain, or clod of earth intrigued him. He wrote about:
- Giant spiders preying on birds
- Enormous snakes over ten meters long
- Meteor showers at night
His letters to Paris, London, Rome, and Berlin were dizzying and rich in descriptions.
Of all the wonders he saw, Humboldt was sad and bitter about only one thing: the slave market that the Spanish developed in America in the 16th century. He opposed slavery until the end of his life, influencing the first presidents of the United States to fight against it.
Scientific Contributions
At Lake Valencia, Humboldt developed his ideas about climate change due to human actions. He noticed that deforestation exposed the soil, leaving it unable to retain its fertile layers against water erosion. He explained that trees play a crucial role in Earth's ecology:
- Water storage
- Enriching the atmosphere with moisture
- Protecting the soil
- Acting as coolers
- Emitting oxygen
Humboldt was almost the first to notice that deforestation in America and Europe would play a destructive role in climate function under human influence.
Exploration Continues
Humboldt's curiosity was insatiable. He studied:
- Rock layers
- Climate patterns
- Ruins of Inca temples
- Geomagnetism - the study of Earth's magnetic fields
As he approached the equator along the Andes, he discovered the magnetic equator where the compass needle turned from north to south.
During his journey south, Humboldt examined the cold current rich in nutrients sustaining an abundance of marine life. This current would later be called the "Humboldt Current," supporting the largest marine ecosystem in the world.
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Meeting with Thomas Jefferson
On his way back to Europe, Humboldt stopped in the United States to meet Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the USA. He taught the president and his people about Mexico and the newly acquired Louisiana Territory. Humboldt saw in the emerging American society, due to the liberty it had etched on its flag, a perfect society.
Russian Expedition
In 1827, at the age of 59, Humboldt received an invitation from the Russian Minister of Finance to visit Russia. In mid-June 1829, he embarked on a journey across Siberia, witnessing vast expanses of endless forest tracts. He arrived in St. Petersburg after a six-month journey, having traveled more than 16,000 kilometers on 12,000 horses.
Influence on Charles Darwin
Almost everyone knows about His Majesty's Ship Beagle, but few know that it set out with the young and unknown passenger, Charles Darwin, on board after he had read Humboldt's book about the journey to South America. Darwin shaped his perception regarding evolution, inspired by his scientist grandfather, but gained confidence when reading about the animals and changes on Earth described by Humboldt. For example, Humboldt wrote that the Orinoco crocodiles are giant versions of European lizards.
Later Years
Humboldt aged naturally, and the world followed his health condition closely. The U.S. Secretary of War sent him maps of the cities in the USA where streets, districts, cities, mountains, and rivers are named after him. There was even a proposal to change the name of the Rocky Mountains to the "Humboldtian Andes".
Despite his fame, Humboldt lost most of his money paying for his journeys and supporting young scientists. His last years were spent in a modest apartment in Berlin, where he had to sell most of his books due to financial constraints.
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Legacy
Alexander von Humboldt died in Berlin, Germany, on May 6, 1859. His life's work tied humanity to nature in a delicate network of connections, influencing fields from ecology to politics, from art to evolutionary theory. Though his name may have faded from common knowledge, his impact on our understanding of the world remains profound.
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