Morris Arboretum Presents Lecture by NY Times Bestselling Author, Andrea Wulf

The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt’s New World

 connections-lectures-2016 wulf

Wednesday, November 9, 2pm at the Ambler Theater, 108 E. Butler Ave in Ambler

In her most recent book published in late 2015, Andrea Wulf brings the story of Alexander von Humboldt back to life, taking us on a fantastic and challenging voyage in his footsteps. Wulf explores Humboldt’s ideas and how they helped revolutionize science, conservation and preservation, nature writing, politics, art, and the theory of evolution. Wulf reintroduces us to a lost hero of science and the forgotten father of environmentalism, showing us why understanding his vision of the world has become increasingly important today. Below are excerpts from noteworthy reviews:

“Wulf’s book is as much a history of those ideas as it is of the man. The man may be lost, but his ideas have never been more alive … In our Anthropocene age Humboldt’s theories read like prophecy. More important, they offer wisdom about the way forward. It is impossible to read The Invention of Nature without contracting Humboldt fever. Wulf makes Humboldtians of us all. … At times The Invention of Nature reads like pulp explorer fiction … She has gone to near-Humboldtian lengths to research her book” – New York Review of Books

“Wulf does much to revive our appreciation of this ecological visionary through her lively, impressively researched account of Humboldt’s travels and exploits, reminding us of the lasting influence of his primary insight: that the Earth is a single, interconnected organism, one that can be catastrophically damaged by our own destructive actions.” – New York Times Sunday Book Review, 10 Best Books of 2015

In addition to being a New York Times bestseller, Wulf’s book, The Invention of Nature has garnered acclaim among other prestigious media sources:

  • Best Science Books of 2015– The Telegraph
  • Best Biographies of 2015 –The Economist
  • Best Biographies of 2015 – Daily Beast
  • Winner of Costa Biography Award 2015
  • Shortlisted Royal Society Science Book Prize 2016
  • Finalist Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction & Nonfiction
  • Finalist Kirkus Book Review Prize 2015
  • Winner LA Times Book Prize 2016
  • Shortlist IBW Book Award 2016
  • Inaugural James Wright Award for Nature Writing (Kenyon Review in association with the Nature Conservancy)
  • Ness Award 2016, Royal Geographical Society

Andrea Wulf is the author of five books, including The Brother Gardeners and Founding Gardeners. The Invention of Nature won the 2015 Costa Biography Award, and in 2016, the Ness Award from the Royal Geographical Society, and the LA Times Book Prize for Science and Technology. She is a finalist for the Royal Society Science Book prize to be announced in late September. Wulf is a three-time fellow of the International Center for Jefferson Studies at Monticello, and lectures widely in the US and UK.

Andrea Wulf is a dynamic speaker who is passionate about her subject. Her lecture is being presented by Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania in partnership with the Ambler Theater.  Part of Morris Arboretum’s Lecture Series, Connections Beyond Our Garden – Talks on People, Plants and Place, this talk will be held at 2pm on November 9th at the Ambler Theater at 108 East Butler Avenue, Ambler, PA.  The cost for this lecture is $15 for Arboretum, Arboretum partners and Ambler Theater members and $20 for non-members, which includes a reception with refreshments.  Advance tickets are required. Register at: http://bit.ly/inventionofnature

Make Wednesday, November 9th a lunch matinee day!  Morris Arboretum has partnered with five local Ambler restaurants to offer lecture attendees special dining prices.  Reservations are recommended and be sure to mention the Andrea Wulf lecture to receive the discount.

 

Lectures are supported in part by the Klein Lecture Endowment given in memory of Dr. William M. Klein who served from 1977-1990 as the Arboretum’s first full-time director, the Laura L. Barnes Lecture Endowment of The Philadelphia Foundation, given in memory of Laura Barnes by students and alumni of her school of horticulture, and the Byron Lukens Lecture Endowment, given in memory of educator and Arboretum volunteer, Byron Lukens and his wife Elizabeth.

The Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania is located at 100 East Northwestern Avenue in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia.  The 92-acre horticulture display garden features a spectacular collection of mature trees in a beautiful and colorful landscape. The Arboretum includes numerous picturesque spots such as a formal rose garden, historic water features, a swan pond, and the only remaining freestanding fernery in North America. A permanent nationally award winning exhibit, Out on a Limb – a Tree Adventure Exhibit adds to Morris Arboretum’s allure by transporting visitors 50 feet up into the treetops on a canopy walk that requires no climbing.  Open weekdays 10am-4pm and weekends 10am-5pm.  Open late on Wednesdays in June, July, and August until 8:00pm.  For more information, visit morrisarboretum.org.

Photo Credit:  Courtesy, Andrea Wulf

Photo Caption: Morris Arboretum presents a lecture by NY Times bestselling author, Andrea Wulf, The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt’s New World on Wednesday, November 9, 2pm at the Ambler Theater, 108 E. Butler Ave in Ambler.  Wulf brings the story of Alexander von Humboldt back to life, taking us on a fantastic and challenging voyage in his footsteps. She explores Humboldt’s ideas and how they helped revolutionize science, conservation and preservation, nature writing, politics, art, and the theory of evolution.  Part of Morris Arboretum’s Lecture Series, Connections Beyond Our Garden – Talks on People, Plants and Place, this talk is $15 for Arboretum and Ambler Theater members and $20 for non-members, which includes a reception with refreshments.  Advance tickets are required. Register at: http://bit.ly/inventionofnature