About
Wilhelm von Humboldt, born in Potsdam and died in Tegel, was a major figure of the Enlightenment and German idealism. Elder brother of naturalist Alexander, he served as a Prussian diplomat, notably at the Congress of Vienna, and as an education reformer. In 1809, he founded the University of Berlin, a model of the modern university combining research and teaching. A pioneering linguist, he conceived language as a rule-governed system enabling infinite use of finite means and introduced the idea that each language embodies a worldview. His works, including 'The Limits of State Action' and 'On Language', influenced political philosophy and linguistics.
* 1767-06-22 — † 1835-04-08
Major works
- Ideen zu einem Versuch, die Grenzen der Wirksamkeit des Staats zu bestimmen (1792)essay
- Researches into the Early Inhabitants of Spain by the Help of the Basque Language (1821)linguistic study
- Über die Verschiedenheit des menschlichen Sprachbaues und ihren Einfluss auf die geistige Entwicklung des Menschengeschlechts (1836)treatise
Key milestones
- 1809Founded the University of Berlin (now Humboldt University).
- 1815Signed the Treaty of Paris as a Prussian representative.
- 1821Published pioneering research on the Basque language.
Themes
Liberty and limits of the stateLanguage and worldviewEducation and human developmentUnity of knowledgeResearch and teaching
Sources: plato.stanford.edu · britannica.com