Presents the 250 texts Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859), known as the "father of environmentalism," wrote in English, unabridged in their original form
Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859), German geographer and naturalist, is well-known for his explorations of the Americas and of Russia, for his ascension of mount Chimborazo, and his contributions to the understanding of man-made climate change. Today, he may be known as the "father of environmentalism," but many of his works have not been accessible since his death, especially his numerous papers, articles, and essays from journals, newspapers, and magazines all over the world. These texts reveal his shift from a travel writer and multidisciplinary scientist to a public intellectual advocating for political causes. Addressing issues such as colonialism, slavery, and social injustices, they also show Humboldt's mastery of diverse literary forms. Humboldt's international reception was unparalleled during his time, with publications spanning across five continents in fifteen languages and his work influenced generations of writers-from Darwin, Poe, Emerson, Thoreau, and Whitman to Carpentier, Reyes, Aira, Galeano, and Garcia Marquez.
Humboldt's complete corpus consists of 750 individual texts, published in 3,600 versions and translations across more than 1,200 periodicals during his lifetime, with 250 of theses texts appearing in English, mostly published in the United States and the United Kingdom. This two-volume collection presents these English works unabridged in their original form. Containing groundbreaking scientific insights into tropical ecosystems, postcolonial societies, and the cultural heritage of indigenous peoples, Humboldt's work not only inspired research within the halls of academia but also informed the discourse of thinkers, writers, and natural scientists worldwide. These volumes make a significant portion of the work of one of the most important figures in the history of science accessible and invites readers to engage with these important contributions to science and society.
