Presidential address on the occasion of the second congress of the European Society for the History of Science in Cracow, Poland, September 8, 2006.
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Alexander von Humboldt—The Explorer and the Scientist†
Article first published online: 27 MAR 2007
DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0498.2007.00058.x
2007 Blackwell Munksgaard
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How to Cite
Knobloch, E. (2007), Alexander von Humboldt—The Explorer and the Scientist. Centaurus, 49: 3–14. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0498.2007.00058.x
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Publication History
- Issue published online: 27 MAR 2007
- Article first published online: 27 MAR 2007
- Abstract
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Abstract On 5 June 1799, Alexander von Humboldt, explorer and scientist, left La Coruña in Spain to go to Cumaná, Venezuela. On 3 August 1804, he arrived again in Bordeaux, France. This article deals with five aspects of this famous journey: the itinerary of the American journey; scientific aims: Humboldt’s journeys and scientific activities were two sides of the same coin; methodology: Humboldt explained in detail his positivistic scientific methodology in his treatise On the isothermal lines and the distribution of heat on the earth (1817); achievements and results: the old Humboldt claimed only three merits: the geography of plants, the theory of isothermal lines, and geomagnetism; the isotherms as a case study: Humboldt spoke at great length about errors, limits, and advantages of the method of mean values.