Views of nature

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The influence of Alexander von Humboldt (1769–1859) extends well beyond natural sciences, impacting various fields through his extensive writings. His 1799–1804 expedition to Central and South America with botanist Aimé Bonpland laid the groundwork for significant scientific surveys in the nineteenth century and provided material for his numerous volumes, which blend scientific rigor with aesthetic beauty. These works inspired notable figures like Emerson, Goethe, Thoreau, Poe, and Frederic Edwin Church. One of his most significant contributions, Views of Nature, is both a celebrated piece of early nature writing and a personal favorite of Humboldt. The essays within it are innovative and were cited by Thoreau as a model. The book's extensive endnotes feature some of Humboldt’s finest prose, exploring vegetation structure, its climatic origins, and its artistic implications. Aimed at both literary and scientific audiences, Views of Nature was translated into English, Spanish, and French during the nineteenth century and gained popularity across Europe and the Americas. However, it has been unavailable in English for over a century and was largely overlooked in the U.S. during the twentieth century. This new translation contributes to the resurgence of interest in Humboldt’s significant impact on the humanities and sciences.