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

Humboldt’s journey leads him to Berlin after a significant time spent in Paris and Rome. Arriving in November 1805, Humboldt finds Berlin starkly different from the vibrant intellectual hubs he left behind. The city’s flat and dull landscape and its cold climate present a challenging environment for Humboldt, who prefers the tropical conditions of his exploratory travels.

Despite receiving a generous pension and an appointment as chamberlain from King Friedrich Wilhelm III, Humboldt feels out of place in the Prussian court. The king, described as lacking the artistic or scientific interests of his predecessors, finds Humboldt a prestigious addition to his court, though Humboldt himself is uncomfortable with the royal attentions.

Humboldt struggles with the provincial atmosphere of Berlin, lacking the scientific community in which he thrived in Paris. He is involved in the Berlin Academy of Sciences and continues his scientific work, particularly in magnetic observations, but feels intellectually isolated and longs for more stimulating environments.

Humboldt moves into a garden house provided by a family acquaintance, which allows him to focus on his work away from the court. Despite these efforts, he is soon ready to leave Berlin, feeling that the intellectual and environmental conditions do not suit his “tropical nature.”

Humboldt settles back into the fervent intellectual pace of Paris after his extensive travels. The narrative marks this phase of Humboldt’s life with intense productivity and scientific collaboration, albeit shadowed by personal frustrations and health issues. Humboldt engages in various scientific endeavors, writing extensively and struggling with the slow progress of his collaborator, Bonpland, who is now the head gardener at Joséphine Bonaparte’s estate.

Humboldt returns to his vigorous routine, spending restless nights and busy days conducting experiments, writing multiple books, and engaging with the scientific community. Humboldt’s presence in Paris is impactful; he rekindles old friendships, forms new connections, and becomes deeply involved in the city’s intellectual life. He meets François Arago, a young astronomer, who becomes a close friend and collaborator. Their relationship is filled with passionate discussions and occasional conflicts.

Despite his successes, Humboldt experiences significant challenges. He faces financial strains, health issues, and personal doubts. Various setbacks delay his ambitious publishing projects, particularly his large folio edition showcasing the natural wonders and Indigenous cultures of Latin America. Nonetheless, Humboldt’s influence grows, and he is celebrated within Parisian society and beyond, maintaining correspondence with major figures like Thomas Jefferson and Joseph Banks.

This chapter explores the intertwined narratives of Humboldt and Simón Bolívar, focusing on their impact on the liberation movements in Latin America. Humboldt’s scientific explorations and descriptions of the continent focused on awe and respect for the natural world, which Bolívar, fueled by Enlightenment ideals, used as a metaphorical framework to inspire and unify the people in the fight against Spanish colonial rule.

Bolívar returned to South America, burning with revolutionary fervor after his vow in Rome to free his country. On his journey, often perilous and driven by the idealistic fervor inspired by Humboldt’s writings, he witnessed firsthand the harsh realities of war and the challenges of leadership during times of conflict. Bolívar’s use of nature imagery in his speeches and writings highlighted the continent’s majesty and uniqueness, helping to cultivate a sense of pride and urgency among his followers.

Humboldt’s influence is evident in how Bolívar and other revolutionaries saw their land and their mission. Humboldt’s critical views on colonialism and his detailed descriptions of South America’s landscapes, flora, and fauna helped shape the continent’s self-image and aspirations. His writings not only provided scientific insights but also a vision of a continent ripe for self-determination, away from European colonial dominance.

The narrative also touches on the broader implications of Humboldt’s and Bolívar’s work, including the way nature and natural symbolism were used to foster a sense of identity and purpose. Bolívar’s evocations of the landscapes during his campaigns provided not just strategic inspiration but also a foundational ethos for the emerging nations of Latin America.

Wulf details Humboldt’s efforts to gain permission to explore the Himalayas alongside his ongoing impact on scientific and cultural circles in London. Humboldt sought to extend his studies of mountainous regions by comparing the Himalayas with the Andes, which required navigating the bureaucratic and political complexities of the British East India Company. This organization, empowered with governmental authority over much of India, was wary of Humboldt’s criticisms of colonialism, viewing his scientific pursuits as politically charged.

During Humboldt’s stay in London, he engaged with various influential figures across political and scientific spheres yet struggled to secure the necessary permissions for his expedition. The chapter contrasts Humboldt’s dynamic, explorative approach to science with the static, book-bound approach criticized by Goethe through the character Wagner in Faust.

Humboldt’s interactions in London reflected his broader scientific influence; he met with renowned scientists and thinkers, enhancing his network despite the setbacks with the East India Company. The narrative also paints a picture of early 19th-century London as a bustling hub of commerce and culture, juxtaposed with Humboldt’s scientific aspirations and the stymied expedition plans.

Humboldt’s journey to secure backing for his proposed expedition to India continues amidst personal and political navigations. Humboldt’s enthusiasm for his scientific endeavors is juxtaposed with the political hesitations of the East India Company, reflecting his struggle to bridge his ambitious exploratory goals with the geopolitical realities of the time.

On his 49th birthday, Humboldt travels to London, optimistic about gaining support from significant figures like the Prince Regent and George Canning, president of the Board of Control overseeing the East India Company. These interactions bolster his hope of removing obstacles placed by the Company. Humboldt’s plans are fueled further when King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia agrees to fund his expedition during the Congress of Aix-la-Chapelle.

However, despite high-level assurances and his notable influence in European scientific circles, Humboldt finds himself entangled in a bureaucratic standstill, unable to advance his plans for India. He terms his restless desire to progress in his scientific pursuits as a maladie centrifuge or centrifugal illness.