Having studied modern languages and recieved a BA from Birkbeck and a Masters Degree from Kings College London, Donald McCrory went on to teach in schools and colleges before being appointed as Head of Modern Languages at the American International University in London in 1984. Previous works include books on European writers, with a focus on biographies, such as Miguel de Cervantes in 2002, as well as publishing works in modern language journals. McCrory has now taken early retirement to focus on writing and on the study of modern languages.

• List of IllustrationsAcknowledgementsPrologueIntroduction1. Growing up in Prussia2. The Makings of a Scientist in the Age of the Enlightenment3. Spain Supports Humboldt's Quest4. The Adventure Begins5. The Power and Fertility of Nature6. Cuba, Chimborazo and the Incas7. 'A microcosm in a leaf': Sojourn in Mexico8. The Commitment to a Universal Science9. From Paris to Berlin: The New Cultural Capital of Europe?10. Russia and Siberia11. The Challenges Posed by Cosmos12. Humboldt: King of Collaborators13. Criticism, Creation and the Creative Process14. Humboldt as a Foreign Correspondent15. The Final Years: 1849-1859EpilogueAppendix: Chronology of the Life of Alexander von HumboldtNotesSelect BibliographyIndex

Having studied modern languages and recieved a BA from Birkbeck and a Masters Degree from Kings College London, Donald McCrory went on to teach in schools and colleges before being appointed as Head of Modern Languages at the American International University in London in 1984. Previous works include books on European writers, with a focus on biographies, such as Miguel de Cervantes in 2002, as well as publishing works in modern language journals. McCrory has now taken early retirement to focus on writing and on the study of modern languages.

• List of IllustrationsAcknowledgementsPrologueIntroduction1. Growing up in Prussia2. The Makings of a Scientist in the Age of the Enlightenment3. Spain Supports Humboldt's Quest4. The Adventure Begins5. The Power and Fertility of Nature6. Cuba, Chimborazo and the Incas7. 'A microcosm in a leaf': Sojourn in Mexico8. The Commitment to a Universal Science9. From Paris to Berlin: The New Cultural Capital of Europe?10. Russia and Siberia11. The Challenges Posed by Cosmos12. Humboldt: King of Collaborators13. Criticism, Creation and the Creative Process14. Humboldt as a Foreign Correspondent15. The Final Years: 1849-1859EpilogueAppendix: Chronology of the Life of Alexander von HumboldtNotesSelect BibliographyIndex

Having studied modern languages and recieved a BA from Birkbeck and a Masters Degree from Kings College London, Donald McCrory went on to teach in schools and colleges before being appointed as Head of Modern Languages at the American International University in London in 1984. Previous works include books on European writers, with a focus on biographies, such as Miguel de Cervantes in 2002, as well as publishing works in modern language journals. McCrory has now taken early retirement to focus on writing and on the study of modern languages.

• List of IllustrationsAcknowledgementsPrologueIntroduction1. Growing up in Prussia2. The Makings of a Scientist in the Age of the Enlightenment3. Spain Supports Humboldt's Quest4. The Adventure Begins5. The Power and Fertility of Nature6. Cuba, Chimborazo and the Incas7. 'A microcosm in a leaf': Sojourn in Mexico8. The Commitment to a Universal Science9. From Paris to Berlin: The New Cultural Capital of Europe?10. Russia and Siberia11. The Challenges Posed by Cosmos12. Humboldt: King of Collaborators13. Criticism, Creation and the Creative Process14. Humboldt as a Foreign Correspondent15. The Final Years: 1849-1859EpilogueAppendix: Chronology of the Life of Alexander von HumboldtNotesSelect BibliographyIndex