Richthofen, Baron Ferdinand von (1833-1905), a German geologist and geographer, pioneered in the study of geomorphology (land forms). He exerted a major influence on modern geography.
Richthofen was born in Karlsruhe, Germany, on May 5, 1833. He became interested in geography after training and working in geology. Between 1868 and 1872, he spent much of his time traveling in China. His seven-volume work, China: The Results of Personal Journeys (1877-1912), made him famous as a scientific traveler. In this work, he coined the term “Silk Road” to describe a group of ancient trade routes that connected China and Europe. He taught geography at the universities of Bonn, Leipzig, and Berlin. He died on Oct. 6, 1905.
See also Geomorphology .
