Humboldt and the Prussian monarchy Alexander von Humboldt

humboldt s seal on private letter

in napoleonic wars, prussia had capitulated france, signing treaty of tilsit. prussian royal family returned berlin, sought better terms of treaty , friedrich wilhelm iii commissioned younger brother prince wilhelm this. friedrich wilhelm iii asked alexander part of mission, charged introducing prince paris society. turn of events humboldt not have been better, since desired live in paris rather berlin.

in 1814 humboldt accompanied allied sovereigns london. 3 years later summoned king of prussia attend him @ congress of aachen. again in autumn of 1822 accompanied same monarch congress of verona, proceeded thence royal party rome , naples , returned paris in spring of 1823. humboldt had long regarded paris true home. thus, when @ last received sovereign summons join court @ berlin, obeyed reluctantly.

between 1830 , 1848 humboldt employed in diplomatic missions court of king louis philippe of france, whom maintained cordial personal relations. charles x of france had been overthrown, louis-philippe of house of orléans becoming king. humboldt knew family, , sent prussian monarch paris report on events monarch. spent 3 years in france, 1830 1833. friends françois arago , guillaume guizot, appointed posts in louis-philippe s government.

humboldt s brother, wilhelm, died on 8 april 1835. alexander lamented had lost half of himself death of brother. upon accession of crown prince frederick william iv in june 1840, humboldt s favor @ court increased. indeed, new king s craving humboldt s company became @ times importunate leave him few waking hours work on writing.