Friedrich Alexander von Humboldt (14th September 1769 - 6th May 1859). Lizars' Steel engraving c 1830 with hand colouring after the 1806 painting by Friedrich Weitsch. A German explorer and naturalist who travelled in South America from 1799-1804. His work 'Travels in the Equinoctial Regions of the New World' had a profound influence on the young Darwin before his Beagle voyage. Humboldt's later works included his ambitious work 'Kosmos' which attempted a synthesis of geography and natural science on the grand scale. Numerous geographical features and species are named after this explorer, who gained considerable fame and respect during his long life.