Humboldt, un prusiano en la Corte del Rey Carlos IV

Abstract

The study of Alejandro de Humboldt's transit through Spain and particularly Madrid, has been one of the forgotten aspects of his historiography. The reasons that would explain the approval by king Charles IV of his trip, involving the minister Mariano de Urquijo and the embassador of Sajonia, baron of Forell, are not sufficiently documented due to the scarce data that Humboldt himself offered in his work and to the absence of any other supporting documents. This work studies the preparation of his American trip and its approval by the Spanish court. It incorporates the Memorandum presented —which was «lost» until now—, the autobiography submitted to the authorities and the references given by Philippe de Forrell. Furthermore, it analyses his relationships with the Spanish scientific community in Madrid and the profile of the team that supported him to achieve his targets.