The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt's New World

Humboldt lived during a period marked by the Enlightenment and the subsequent Age of Exploration, which influenced his work and legacy. Born in 1769, Humboldt came of age in Europe when intellectual curiosity about the natural world was burgeoning. The Enlightenment emphasized reason, science, and empirical research, setting the stage for Humboldt’s approaches to understanding nature. This era saw significant advancements in technology and navigation, which enabled explorers like Humboldt to embark on extensive scientific expeditions. His travels across Latin America from 1799 to 1804 coincided with other landmark voyages, such as those of Captain James Cook and later Charles Darwin, both of whom expanded European knowledge of geology, flora, fauna, and Indigenous cultures.

Humboldt’s holistic view of science, which integrated geography, biology, physics, and chemistry, was revolutionary at a time when most scientists focused narrowly on specialized fields. This interdisciplinary approach allowed him to develop concepts like the web of life and to advance theories on the interconnectedness of nature. His work prefigured later scientific developments, such as evolutionary theory and ecological science, influencing how people understood the impact of humans on the environment.

Moreover, Humboldt’s era was one of colonial expansion, when European powers were keen to document and exploit the resources of the lands they colonized.