Ferdinand von Richthofen

Ferdinand von Richthofen
Born(1833-05-05)5 May 1833
Died6 October 1905(1905-10-06) (aged 72)
NationalityGerman
Alma materUniversity of Breslau
University of Berlin
AwardsWollaston Medal (1892)
Vega Medal (1903)
Scientific career
FieldsGeography
InstitutionsUniversity of Bonn
University of Leipzig
University of Berlin
Doctoral studentsSven Hedin
Alfred Philippson
Arthur Berson
Wilhelm Sievers
Signature

Ferdinand Freiherr von Richthofen (5 May 1833  6 October 1905), better known in English as Baron von Richthofen, was a German traveller, geographer, and scientist. He is noted for coining the terms "Seidenstraße" and "Seidenstraßen" = "Silk Road(s)" or "Silk Route(s)" in 1877. He also standardized the practices of chorography and chorology.