WILHELM AND ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT

The Humboldt brothers rank among the most distinguished Berlin citizens. Wilhelm (1767– 1835) was a lawyer and politician, occupying various government posts. It was on his initiative that the Berlin University (later renamed Humboldt University) was founded, and he conducted studies in comparative and historical linguistics there. Alexander (1769–1859), a professor at the University, researched natural science, including meteorology, oceanography and agricultural science.