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Essay on the Geography of Plants
The legacy of Alexander von Humboldt (1769–1859) looms large over the natural sciences. His 1799–1804 research expedition to Central and South America with botanist Aimé Bonpland set the course for the great scientific surveys of the nineteenth century, and inspired such essayists and artists as Emerson, Goethe, Thoreau, Poe, and Church.
The chronicles of the expedition were published in Paris after Humboldt’s return, and first among them was the 1807 “Essay on the Geography of Plants.” Among the most cited writings in natural history, after the works of Darwin and Wallace, this work appears here for the first time in a complete English-language translation. Covering far more than its title implies, it represents the first articulation of an integrative “science of the earth, ” encompassing most of today’s environmental sciences. Ecologist Stephen T. Jackson introduces the treatise and explains its enduring significance two centuries after its publication.
The chronicles of the expedition were published in Paris after Humboldt’s return, and first among them was the 1807 “Essay on the Geography of Plants.” Among the most cited writings in natural history, after the works of Darwin and Wallace, this work appears here for the first time in a complete English-language translation. Covering far more than its title implies, it represents the first articulation of an integrative “science of the earth, ” encompassing most of today’s environmental sciences. Ecologist Stephen T. Jackson introduces the treatise and explains its enduring significance two centuries after its publication.
296 pages, Paperback
First published November 16, 2009
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About the author
Alexander von Humboldt
1,116 books216 followersExpeditions of German scientist Baron Friedrich Heinrich Alexander von Humboldt to Latin America from 1799 to 1804 and to Siberia in 1829 greatly advanced the fields of ecology, geology, and meteorology.
Friedrich Wilhelm Heinrich Alexander Freiherr von Humboldt, a naturalist and the younger brother of the Prussian minister, philosopher, and linguist, Wilhelm von Humboldt, explored. Quantitative botanical work of Humboldt founded biogeography.
Humboldt traveled extensively, explored, and described for the first time in a generally considered modern manner and point of view. He wrote up his description of the journey and published an enormous set of volumes over 21 years. He first proposed that forces once joined South America and Africa, the lands, bordering the Atlantic Ocean. Later, his five-volume work, Kosmos (1845), attempted to unify the various branches of knowledge. Humboldt supported, included, and worked with Joseph-Louis Gay-Lussac, Justus von Liebig, Louis Agassiz, and Matthew Fontaine Maury and most notably conducted much of his exploration with Aimé Bonpland.
Friedrich Wilhelm Heinrich Alexander Freiherr von Humboldt, a naturalist and the younger brother of the Prussian minister, philosopher, and linguist, Wilhelm von Humboldt, explored. Quantitative botanical work of Humboldt founded biogeography.
Humboldt traveled extensively, explored, and described for the first time in a generally considered modern manner and point of view. He wrote up his description of the journey and published an enormous set of volumes over 21 years. He first proposed that forces once joined South America and Africa, the lands, bordering the Atlantic Ocean. Later, his five-volume work, Kosmos (1845), attempted to unify the various branches of knowledge. Humboldt supported, included, and worked with Joseph-Louis Gay-Lussac, Justus von Liebig, Louis Agassiz, and Matthew Fontaine Maury and most notably conducted much of his exploration with Aimé Bonpland.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 6, 2016
Humboldt es el científico romántico por excelencia, habla de la naturaleza y se emociona observando sus fenómenos como un poeta. No se me ocurre otra forma mejor de aprender sobre biología, geografía, etnología ¡y tantas otras cosas!
Además, esta edición tiene su gran ilustración del volcán Chimborazo, donde se presenta la información visual y escrita en un todo; hito que marca lo que será la "Humboldtian Science".
Además, esta edición tiene su gran ilustración del volcán Chimborazo, donde se presenta la información visual y escrita en un todo; hito que marca lo que será la "Humboldtian Science".
February 27, 2020
"Would an increase in the intensity of the sun’s rays have spread in certain periods tropical heat to the zones near the poles? Do such variations, which would enable equinoctial plants, elephants, and tapirs to live in Lapland, occur periodically? or are they the result of some temporary disturbances in our planetary system?"
December 29, 2022
What to say about the genius of Humboldt? A polymath like me, he unveiled the world to the nineteen century reader, presenting illustrations packed with detailed information, that connected wordwide and across sciences. A must read for everyone interested in ecology, cosmos, science and life in general!
January 4, 2026
Nice to read some orginial text from Humboldt and understand why this was such a big deal back then, but way to descriptive and long
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews