
Nature Translated
Alexander von Humboldt's Works in Nineteenth-Century Britain
Alison E. Martin(Author)
Edinburgh University Press
Published on 25. August 2020
Book
Paperback/Softback
280 pages
978-1-4744-3933-6 (ISBN)
Description
The first extensive analysis of the translation, publication and critical reception of Alexander von Humboldt's writings in nineteenth-century Britain
Alexander von Humboldt was one of the most important scientists of the nineteenth century. Captivating his readers with his vibrant, lyrical prose, he transformed 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 knowledgeReconsiders how translators shape a scientist's international reputationDraws on extensive archival material in neglected publishers' archives to shed new light on how authors, their translators and their publishers collaborate
Alexander von Humboldt was one of the most important scientists of the nineteenth century. Captivating his readers with his vibrant, lyrical prose, he transformed 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 knowledgeReconsiders how translators shape a scientist's international reputationDraws on extensive archival material in neglected publishers' archives to shed new light on how authors, their translators and their publishers collaborate
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Illustrations
11 black and white illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 231 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
408 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4744-3933-6 (9781474439336)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
09/2018
1st Edition
Edinburgh University Press
€28.49
Available for download

E-Book
09/2018
1st Edition
Edinburgh University Press
€0.00
Available for download
Person
Alison E. Martin is Professor of British Studies at the Johannes Gutenberg-Universitaet Mainz (Germersheim). She is the author of Moving Scenes: The Aesthetics of German Travel Writing on England, 1783-1830 in the Legenda monograph series Studies in Comparative Literature Vol 13.
Author
Professor of British StudiesJohannes Gutenberg-Universitaet Mainz (Germersheim)
Content
List of Abbreviations
List of Illustrations
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1. Styling Science
2. Dispute and Dissociation: John Black's Political Essay on the Kingdom of New Spain (1811)
3. 'A Colossal Literary and Scientific Task': Helen Maria Williams and the Personal Narrative of Travels to the Equinoctial Regions of the New Continent (1814-29)
4. 'A Plain and Unassuming Style': Thomasina Ross and Humboldt's Travels (1852-3)
5. The Poetry of Geography: The Ansichten der Natur in English Translation
6. Cosmos: The Universe Translated
Conclusions
Bibliography
Index
List of Illustrations
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1. Styling Science
2. Dispute and Dissociation: John Black's Political Essay on the Kingdom of New Spain (1811)
3. 'A Colossal Literary and Scientific Task': Helen Maria Williams and the Personal Narrative of Travels to the Equinoctial Regions of the New Continent (1814-29)
4. 'A Plain and Unassuming Style': Thomasina Ross and Humboldt's Travels (1852-3)
5. The Poetry of Geography: The Ansichten der Natur in English Translation
6. Cosmos: The Universe Translated
Conclusions
Bibliography
Index