Last summer I was in Berlin for the Fifth International Humboldt Conference. The photo shows the statue of Alexander von Humboldt in front of the univeristy founded by his brother in Wilhelm in 1810. Originally known as the University of Berlin, it was renamed for the famous brothers in 1949 while the institution was part of the Russian sector of the then divided city. It is located in the heart of Berlin on one of its main thoroughfares, just a few blocks from the Brandenburg Gate.

Since Humboldt is the inspiration of this blog, it is well to take the opportunity to describe the famous Prussian scientist. Alexander was born in Berlin on Sept. 14, 1769 to an officer of the staff of Frederick the Great. From an early age the younger of the Humboldt brothers took an interest in science, conducting experiments with electricity and collecting flowers, butterflies and beetles at the family estate at Tegel, 12 miles north of Berlin (site of the present day international airport).

A brilliant, but rebellious student, Alexander found it difficult to find his place in life. He was lucky, however, to have a series of talented tutors who stirred his interest in botany, geology and travel. His college education culminated at the Mining Academy at Freiberg. Here he spent long hours in the pits, studying geology, and, in his free time, teaching himself chemistry and paleontology. Based on his successful completion of this training he was named Assistant Inspector of Mines for Prussia.

It was likely Humboldt's experience as a mine inspector that impressed the Spanish King Carlos IV when they met at the court in Aranjuez in March of 1799. Or perhaps it was Humboldt's title as baron. In any event, it was an exceptional fortune for Alexander, and his French botanist partner, Aimee Bonpland, to be awarded a royal passport to visit the Spanish colonies in the Americas.

The resulting five-year expedition to South America was described by Simón Bolívar as the "scientific discovery" of America. By foot, horseback and canoe, the intrepid explorers would travel over 6,000 miles of territory, much of it previously unexplored. They brought back over 60,000 species of plants, 3,000 of which were new to science. Humboldt's publication of his findings in a series of high quality books on his return to Paris in 1804 would define America for a European public that had no idea of what the New World was really like.

Humboldt's Personal Narrative of his travels would inspire 19th century scientists and writers all over the world. In the United States his writings would become an inspiration for Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Johh Muir. Charles Darwin would write, " I formerly admired Humboldt, now I almost adore him....I shall never forget that my whole course of life is due to having read and re-read as a youth [Humboldt's] Personal Narrative." On a much smaller and personal level, I took Humboldt as a model for my own modest explorations of Central America and Mexico. Interestingly enough, my first position in Latin America was as a science teacher at the Alejandro de Humboldt High School in Ahuachapan, El Salvador.