Synonyms:
Humboldt, Baron_Alexander_von_Humboldt, Baron_Friedrich_Heinrich_Alexander_von_Humboldt
Meaning: German naturalist who explored Central and South America and provided a comprehensive description of the physical universe (1769-1859)
Synonyms:
Humboldt, Baron_Wilhelm_von_Humboldt, Baron_Karl_Wilhelm_von_Humboldt
Meaning: German philologist noted for his studies of the relation between language and culture (1767-1835)
Usage examples
Humboldt's work had a profound effect on the thought of the civilized world; his trip was one of adventure and danger; and yet it can hardly be called exploration proper.
If the grotto of Guachara, in Colombia, visited by Humboldt, had not given up the whole of the secret of its depth to the philosopher, who investigated it to the depth of 2,500 feet, it probably did not extend much farther.
From this point the road, running along Humboldt River, passed northward for several miles by its banks; then it turned eastward, and kept by the river until it reached the Humboldt Range, nearly at the extreme eastern limit of Nevada.
But these places were in Spanish colonies, and access to them had been forbidden by the mischievous and intolerant tyranny-- ecclesiastical, political, and economic--which then rendered Spain the most backward of European nations; and Humboldt was the first scientific man of intellectual independence who had permission to visit them.