Wilhelm von Humboldt

1767 - 1835

About the Author

Wilhelm von Humboldt (1767-1835) was described by Friedrich Hayek as “Germany’s greatest philosopher of freedom.” Humboldt wrote a path-breaking defense of the minimal state which had a profound influence on John Stuart Mill. Humboldt later became Director of the Section for Public Worship and Education, in the Ministry of Interior. In this capacity, he directed the reorganization of the Prussian public education system, and, in particular, founded the University of Berlin.

In The Library:

• author: Ideen zu einem Versuch, die Gränzen der Wirksamkeit des Staates zu bestimmen (1792)
• author: The Sphere and Duties of Government (The Limits of State Action) (1854 ed.) (1792)

Quotations:

• Wilhelm von Humboldt argued that freedom was the “Grand and Indispensable Condition” for individual flourishing (1792) (25 July, 2005)