Date/Time
Date(s) - 11/12/2021
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Categories
Even over two centuries after Alexander von Humboldt’s celebrated American expedition (1799-1804), the Prussian naturalist, historian and humanist is well remembered on both sides of the Atlantic. His wide-ranging work, ideas and scientific method continue to be influential to this day. The recognition he received also in the United States is reflected in numerous places that carry his name. However, many contradictory interpretations of Humboldt can be found: While some praise him as father of the environmentalism, others question his contribution to the sciences for a lack of new theories. While some take him as colonial explorer, others heroize him as ideologic leader of the Independence movement in Spanish America. These different narratives, or “inventions of Humboldt”, reveal often more about our own interests than about the historic figure.
Dr. Rebok will evaluate and contextualize Humboldt´s life and legacy: Who was the famous explorer, what were his key achievements and how do they differ from other scholars’ of his time? How do we define Humboldtian Science? And what can we still learn from him while facing the challenges of our world today?
Dr. Sandra Rebok´s research focuses on exploration voyages, intellectual networks and transnational collaborations during the 19th century. She has over 20 year of experience in Humboldtian scholarship, she is the author of several books on Humboldt and the editor of three of his works in Spanish. One of her recent books examines his intellectual exchange with Thomas Jefferson (Jefferson and Humboldt, 2014), while her new monograph analyzes Humboldt’s position between the Spanish Empire in decline and the expanding United States (Humboldt’s Empire of Knowledge, in press).
This event is co-hosted by Zeitgeist Northwest and Portland State University and sponsored by the Alliance Francaise and the German American Society.
Please RSVP at zeitgeistnw@gmail.com to attend the event.
