Nature Translated: Alexander Von Humboldt's Works in Nineteenth Century Britain

The first comprehensive analysis of the translation, publication, and critical reception of Alexander von Humboldt's writings in nineteenth-century Britain reveals the pivotal role of translators in shaping his prose and public persona, challenging traditional notions of scientific knowledge mediation.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 31 August 2020
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

The first comprehensive examination of the translation, publication, and critical reception of Alexander von Humboldt's writings in nineteenth-century Britain reveals the pivotal role of translation in mediating scientific knowledge and shaping a scientist's international reputation. Humboldt, one of the most influential scientists of the century, captivated readers with his vibrant, lyrical prose, transforming understandings of the earth and space by rethinking nature as the interconnection of global forces. This book argues that style was key to the success of these translations and shows how Humboldt's British translators, now largely forgotten figures, were pivotal in moulding his prose and his public persona as they reconfigured his works for readers in Britain and beyond.

Key Features:

• Prompts a rethinking of the role of translation in mediating scientific knowledge

• Reconsiders how translators shape a scientist's international reputation

• Draws on extensive archival material in neglected publishers' archives to shed new light on how authors, their translators, and their publishers collaborate

• Highlights the importance of translation in shaping the reception and impact of scientific ideas

• Provides insights into the cultural and linguistic contexts that influenced Humboldt's writings

• Offers a fresh perspective on the relationship between science, literature, and translation in the nineteenth century

Alexander von Humboldt, a German naturalist and explorer, is widely regarded as one of the most important scientists of the nineteenth century. His writings, which spanned a wide range of subjects, including geology, botany, and anthropology, revolutionized our understanding of the earth and space. Humboldt's prose was characterized by its vivid imagery, poetic language, and scientific precision, making it accessible to a broad audience.

In the nineteenth century, Britain was a major center for the translation of scientific works, and Humboldt's writings were no exception. Several British publishers, including Longman, Macmillan, and John Murray, published his works in English, and these translations played a crucial role in shaping his international reputation. However, the translators who worked on these translations have been largely forgotten, and their contributions have been overlooked in the historical literature.

This book aims to rectify this oversight by exploring the translation, publication, and critical reception of Humboldt's writings in nineteenth-century Britain. It draws on extensive archival material in neglected publishers' archives, including correspondence, manuscripts, and publishing contracts, to shed new light on how authors, their translators, and their publishers collaborated to bring Humboldt's ideas to a wider audience.

One of the key findings of the book is that style was key to the success of these translations. Humboldt's British translators were skilled in capturing the essence of his prose, while also adapting it to the cultural and linguistic context of Britain. They often made significant changes to the text, including reordering sentences, adding explanatory notes, and altering the tone of the writing. These changes helped to make Humboldt's ideas more accessible to British readers, and they also contributed to his public persona as a scientific celebrity.

Another important finding of the book is that Humboldt's British translators were instrumental in shaping his public persona. They helped to create a sense of Humboldt as a charismatic and visionary figure, and they played a crucial role in promoting his ideas to a wider audience. For example, they organized public lectures and exhibitions, and they worked with the press to promote his work.

However, the translators' contributions were not without their challenges. They faced numerous obstacles, including the lack of access to scientific resources, the difficulty of translating complex scientific concepts, and the pressure to produce translations that were accurate and timely. These challenges often led to compromises in the quality of the translations, and they contributed to the marginalization of Humboldt's work in Britain.

Despite these challenges, Humboldt's writings had a significant impact on British science and culture. His ideas were widely discussed in the press, and they influenced the work of many British scientists, including Charles Darwin and John Tyndall. His writings also played a role in shaping the public's understanding of the natural world, and they helped to promote a sense of wonder and curiosity about the world around us.

In conclusion, the first comprehensive examination of the translation, publication, and critical reception of Alexander von Humboldt's writings in nineteenth-century Britain reveals the pivotal role of translation in mediating scientific knowledge and shaping a scientist's international reputation. Humboldt's British translators were instrumental in shaping his public persona and promoting his ideas to a wider audience, but their contributions have been largely forgotten. This book aims to rectify this oversight by exploring the translation, publication, and critical reception of Humboldt's writings in nineteenth-century Britain, and it offers insights into the cultural and linguistic contexts that influenced his writings.

Weight: 428g
Dimension: 156 x 233 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474439336