Wilhelm von Humboldt books in order
Prussian philosopher, government official, diplomat, and educator
- Lived
- 1767–1835
- Country
- Germany
- Books
- 3
Wilhelm von Humboldt published 3 non-fiction books, beginning with On Language (1836).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Wilhelm von Humboldt
Start here
On Language
Wilhelm von Humboldt's most-read book.
Non-fiction in order
On Language (1836)
The Limits of State Action (1841)
The Sphere and Duties of Government (1854)
About Wilhelm von Humboldt
Friedrich Wilhelm Christian Karl Ferdinand von Humboldt was a Prussian philosopher, linguist, government functionary, diplomat, and founder of the Humboldt University of Berlin. In 1949, the university was named after him and his younger brother, Alexander von Humboldt, a naturalist.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Wilhelm von Humboldt FAQ
- How many books has Wilhelm von Humboldt written?
- Wilhelm von Humboldt published 3 non-fiction books that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Wilhelm von Humboldt's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with On Language.
- What is Wilhelm von Humboldt's last book?
- On Language (1836).
- What is Wilhelm von Humboldt's most famous book?
- On Language (1836) is Wilhelm von Humboldt's most widely read book.
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.