Alexander von Humboldt

Alexander von Humboldt
Alexander von Humboldt (1769–1859) was a German polymath, naturalist, and explorer, renowned for his scientific expeditions and writings on the natural world. His most famous work, "Kosmos," attempted to unify diverse scientific disciplines and presented the universe as a harmonious whole. Humboldt's travels in Latin America, documented in books like "Personal Narrative of Travels to the Equinoctial Regions of the New Continent," significantly advanced knowledge in geography, botany, and climatology. He is also considered a pioneer of modern environmentalism and greatly influenced later scientists such as Charles Darwin.

Author's Books:


SPANISH GUIANA. ANGOSTURA. PALM-INHABITING TRIBES. MISSIONS OF THE CAPUCHINS. THE LAGUNA PARIME. EL DORADO. LEGENDARY TALES OF THE EARLY VOYAGERS. I shall commence this chapter by a description of Spanish Guiana (Provincia de la Guyana), which is a part of the ancient Capitania general of Caracas. Since the end of the sixteenth century three towns have successively borne the name of St. Thomas of... more...

LAKE OF TACARIGUA. HOT SPRINGS OF MARIARA. TOWN OF NUEVA VALENCIA DEL REY. DESCENT TOWARDS THE COASTS OF PORTO CABELLO. The valleys of Aragua form a narrow basin between granitic and calcareous mountains of unequal height. On the north, they are separated by the Sierra Mariara from the sea-coast; and towards the south, the chain of Guacimo and Yusma serves them as a rampart against the heated air of... more...

VOLUME I [p 2 is blank] p 3 TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE. ———————————- I CAN not more appropriately introduce the Cosmos than by presenting a brief sketch of the life of its illustrious author.* While the name of Alexander von Humboldt is familiar to every one, few, perhaps, are aware of the peculiar circumstances of his scientific career and of the extent of his labors in almost... more...