Born: 22 June 1767 · Died: 8 April 1835 · Age at death: 67
How old was Wilhelm von Humboldt when he died?
Wilhelm von Humboldt died aged 67. He was born on 22 June 1767 and died on 8 April 1835.
Prussian philosopher and diplomat who founded the University of Berlin
Did you know?He was a gifted linguist who studied indigenous American and Javanese languages to understand how speech shapes human thought.
Quick facts
Date of birth22 June 1767
Date of death8 April 1835
Age at death67
NationalityGerman
BirthplacePotsdam, Germany
Occupationlinguist, diplomat, anthropologist
Editor's Take:
Wilhelm von Humboldt believed that education should develop the whole person, not just train workers. As head of Prussian education he founded the university in Berlin that now bears his and his brother's name. It joined teaching with free research. That model spread across the world and still shapes universities today. He was also a liberal political thinker and a skilled diplomat. He studied languages from Basque to Kawi. Linguists still cite his ideas about language and thought.
Key Milestones
1802: Becomes Prussian envoy in Rome
1809: Heads Prussian education reform
1810: Founds the University of Berlin
1815: Represents Prussia at the Congress of Vienna
Friedrich Wilhelm Christian Karl Ferdinand von Humboldt (22 June 1767 – 8 April 1835) was a Prussian philosopher, linguist, government functionary, diplomat, and founder of the Humboldt University of Berlin. In 1949, the university was named after him and his younger brother, Alexander von Humboldt, a naturalist.
Wilhelm von Humboldt's birthday is June 22. He was born on June 22, 1767 in Potsdam, Germany.
How old was Wilhelm von Humboldt when he died?
Wilhelm von Humboldt died on April 8, 1835, aged 67.
Who shares a birthday with Wilhelm von Humboldt?
Famous people who share Wilhelm von Humboldt's June 22 birthday include Meryl Streep, Erich Maria Remarque, Dan Brown, Giuseppe Mazzini and Ada Yonath.
