Alexander von Humboldt — Age, Birthday & Biography
Born: 14 September 1769 · Died: 6 May 1859 · Age: 89
Prussian naturalist whose Latin American expedition and book Cosmos founded modern geography and inspired Darwin
Did you know?He was one of the first people to describe the concept of human-induced climate change.
Quick facts
Date of birth14 September 1769
Date of death6 May 1859
Age at death89
NationalityGerman
BirthplaceBerlin, Germany
Occupationgeologist, explorer, botanist
Editor's Take:
Alexander von Humboldt was the most famous scientist of his age. Between 1799 and 1804 he explored South America. He climbed volcanoes, mapped rivers and collected thousands of plants. He saw nature as a connected web of life. He warned that cutting forests could change the climate. His book Cosmos tried to describe the whole universe. Countless places, plants and animals are named after him.
Key Milestones
1799: Americas – expedition begins
1800: Orinoco – river exploration
1802: Chimborazo – record climb
1829: Russia – Siberian expedition
Friedrich Wilhelm Heinrich Alexander von Humboldt (14 September 1769 – 6 May 1859) was a German polymath, geographer, naturalist, explorer, and proponent of Romantic philosophy and science. He was the younger brother of the Prussian minister, philosopher, and linguist Wilhelm von Humboldt (1767–1835).
Alexander von Humboldt's birthday is September 14. He was born on September 14, 1769 in Berlin, Germany.
How old was Alexander von Humboldt when he died?
Alexander von Humboldt died on May 6, 1859, aged 89.
Who shares a birthday with Alexander von Humboldt?
Famous people who share Alexander von Humboldt's September 14 birthday include Leo XIV, Dmitry Medvedev, Amy Winehouse, Francisco Quevedo and Renzo Piano.
