The acclaimed Prussian naturalist Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859) was referred to by Charles Darwin as 'the greatest scientific traveller who ever lived'. Several of his works were in the library aboard the Beagle, including the multi-volume Personal Narrative of Travels, two books on geology and Tableaux de la nature (all reissued in the Cambridge Library Collection). Darwin's copy of this two-volume 1811 New York edition of Humboldt's Political Essay (originally published in French earlier that year) is inscribed 'Buenos Ayres', suggesting he acquired it there in 1832-3, without its accompanying atlas (forthcoming). Humboldt had spent a year in Mexico in 1803-4, and was struck by its 'civilization' as compared to regions of South America that he had visited earlier on his expedition. Volume 1 of his account contains a 'geographical introduction' and discussions of physical geography, agriculture, and the ethnic diversity, distribution and health of the population.
- ISBN10 1236213203
- ISBN13 9781236213204
- Publish Date 1 May 2012 (first published 12 January 2010)
- Publish Status Unknown
- Out of Print 12 January 2017
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Rarebooksclub.com
- Format Paperback (US Trade)
- Language English