“The most dangerous worldviews are the worldviews of those who have never viewed the world.”
Alexander von Humboldt
I just finished a bio of Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859), the renowned European naturalist. Intensely curious, full of energy, and driven to truly understand nature and mans’ relationship with it, Humboldt was celebrated as a universal genius during his lifetime, achieving rock star status at a young age. His books were best sellers. He was adored by the public on both sides of the Atlantic. His life’s commitment to the scientific method, and to the sharing of scientific knowledge brought him worldwide acclaim, at a time when the world was changing rapidly.
His writings strongly influenced the thinking and work of Charles Darwin, Henry David Thoreau, and John Muir, to name a few.
Humboldt has replaced Joseph Banks at the top of my list of people I wish I had known. Unfortunately, there is little overlap between our cruise (leaving in just 184 days, but who’s counting?) and Humboldt’s. A cruise on the Orinoco River in 2026? Everything is possible!
