Cosmos Alexander von Humboldt

photograph of humboldt in later years

kosmos humboldt s multi-volume effort in later years write work bringing research long career. writing took shape in lectures delivered before university of berlin in winter of 1827–28. these lectures form cartoon great fresco of [k]osmos . 1829 expedition russia supplied him data comparative latin american expedition.

the first 2 volumes of kosmos published between years 1845 , 1847 intended comprise entire work, humboldt published 3 more volumes, 1 of posthumous. humboldt had long aimed write comprehensive work geography , natural sciences. work attempted unify sciences known in kantian framework. inspiration german romanticism, humboldt sought create compendium of world s environment. spent last decade of long life — called them, improbable years — continuing work. third , fourth volumes published in 1850–58; fragment of fifth appeared posthumously in 1862.

his reputation had long since been made publications on latin american expedition. there not consensus on importance of kosmos. 1 scholar, stresses importance of humboldt s political essay on kingdom of new spain essential reading, dismisses kosmos little more academic curiosity. different opinion kosmos influential book.

as of humboldt s works, kosmos translated multiple languages in editions of uneven quality. popular in britain , america. in 1849 german newspaper commented in england 2 of 3 different translations made women, while in germany of men not understand it. first translation augustin pritchard — published anonymously mr. baillière (volume in 1845 , volume ii in 1848) — suffered being hurriedly made. in letter humboldt said of it: damage reputation. charm of description destroyed english sounding sanskrit.

the other 2 translations made mrs. sabine under superintendence of husband col. edward sabine (4 volumes 1846–1858), , miss e.c. otté (5 volumes 1849–1858, complete translation of 4 german volumes). these 3 translations published in united states. numbering of volumes differs between german , english editions. volume 3 of german edition corresponds volumes 3 , 4 of english translation, german volume appeared in 2 parts in 1850 , 1851. volume 5 of german edition not translated until 1981, again woman. miss otté s translation benefited detailed table of contents, , index every volume; of german edition volumes 4 , 5 had (extremely short) tables of contents, , index whole work appeared volume 5 in 1862. less known in germany atlas belonging german edition of cosmos berghaus physikalischer atlas , better known pirated version traugott bromme under title atlas zu alexander von humboldt s kosmos (stuttgart 1861).

in britain, heinrich berghaus planned publish alexander keith johnston physical atlas . later johnston published alone under title physical atlas of natural phenomena . in britain connection cosmos seems not have been recognized.