Admiration Quote by Thomas Jefferson
![“I consider him [Alexander von Humboldt] the most important scientist whom I have met.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/623/thomas-jefferson-43_admiration_i-consider-him-alexander-von-humboldt-th_211694.jpg)
““I consider him [Alexander von Humboldt] the most important scientist whom I have met.””
About This Quote
Source Letter: Letter to John Adams, 1803
Jefferson praises Humboldt as the preeminent scientist he encountered, highlighting his broad impact across disciplines.
In simple terms: Humboldt was Jefferson’s top scientist.
Key Takeaway
Value interdisciplinary science.
Themes
recognition
science
inspiration
Mood
respectful
admiring
Type
historical
commendatory
When to use this quote
- academic collaboration
- research funding
- public lectures
- policy advice
Key Concepts
Enlightenment
natural philosophy
exploration
Questions to Reflect On
- How does interdisciplinary work shape modern science?
- What criteria define a “most important” scientist?
A Different Perspective
Humboldt’s influence may be overstated compared to others.
![“[Alexander von Humboldt was the] greatest scientific traveller who ever lived.” quote by Charles Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6d5/charles-darwin-507_admiration_alexander-von-humboldt-was-the-greatest_3141935.jpg)
![“He [Alexander von Humboldt] was to science what Shakespeare was to the drama.” quote by Robert G. Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fb5/robert-g-ingersoll-4527_admiration_he-alexander-von-humboldt-was-to-science_233200.jpg)
![“[Alexander von] Humboldt showers us with true treasures.” quote by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b48/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_admiration_alexander-von-humboldt-showers-us-with-t_249126.jpg)
![“Columbus gave Europe a New World; [Alexander von] Humboldt made it known in its physical, material, intellectual, and moral aspects.” quote by José Cipriano de la Luz y Caballero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b55/jos-cipriano-de-la-luz-y-cabal_admiration_columbus-gave-europe-a-new-world-alexand_735817.jpg)
![“The real discoverer of South America was [Alexander von] Humboldt, since his work was more useful for our people than the work of all conquerors.” quote by Simón Bolívar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/086/simon-bolivar-13654_admiration_the-real-discoverer-of-south-america-was_1394750.jpg)
![“This man [Alexander von Humboldt] is as knowledgeable as a whole academy.” quote by Claude Louis Berthollet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1e5/claude-louis-berthollet-228638_admiration_this-man-alexander-von-humboldt-is-as-kn_1915593.jpg)
![“[States and the Federal government are] coordinate departments of one simple and integral whole... The one is the domestic, the other the foreign branch of the same government.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/401/thomas-jefferson-43_branches_states-and-the-federal-government-are-co_2619.jpg)
![“Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period and pursued unalterably through every change of ministers, too plainly prove a deliberate, systematic plan of reducing [a people] to slavery.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/00c/thomas-jefferson-43_change_single-acts-of-tyranny-may-be-ascribed-t_5515.jpg)
![“Though you cannot see, when you take one step, what will be the next, yet follow truth, justice, and plain dealing, and never fear their leading you out of [any difficult situation] in the easiest manner possible...” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ebe/thomas-jefferson-43_difficult_though-you-cannot-see-when-you-take-one_9828.jpg)
