Rocky Mountain Map Society presents “Alexander von Humboldt and the Mapping of the Americas”
September 17
Join us for an introduction to the extraordinary life of Alexander von Humboldt, described by Charles Darwin as “the greatest travelling scientist who ever lived.”
This presentation will focus on Humboldt’s observations during his perception-changing voyage crisscrossing Latin America in 1799-1804, as well as the subsequent decades of meticulous data analysis that he recorded in 30 lavishly illustrated volumes, including two atlases. Learn more about why this Prussian nobleman is considered the nineteenth century’s most influential scientist in sparking research into the nature of the Americas and far beyond.
About the Speaker: Professor Imre Demhardt
As a school kid in Germany, Imre was interested in history, geography, and far away countries. Inevitably, this led him towards the study of exploration and cartography, but especially old maps. After gaining degrees in History and Geography, wanderlust took him to many corners of the globe. In 2008, Imre was appointed the Garrett Endowed Chair in the History of Cartography at the University of Texas at Arlington. He is the author of seven books, (co-)editor of more books, and has penned over a hundred scholarly articles and essays.
