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Alfred HettnerGerman geographer, main theorist and founder of the chorological scientific school
Date of Birth: 06.08.1859
Country:  Germany |
Content:
- Alfred Hettner: A Prominent German Geographer
- Academic Career and Contributions
- Theoretical Innovations
- Influence and Legacy
- Post-Soviet Reassessment
Alfred Hettner: A Prominent German Geographer
Early Life and TravelsAlfred Hettner, born to the renowned literary scholar Hermann Hettner, embarked on significant expeditions to South America in 1882-84 and 1888-90. These journeys ignited his passion for geography and led to the publication of influential reports that garnered scientific recognition.
Academic Career and Contributions
From 1894-99, Hettner held a professorship at Leipzig University before moving to Heidelberg in 1899, where he taught until 1928. His establishment of the journal "Geographische Zeitschrift" in 1895 cemented his role as a leading voice in the field. Hettner's contributions extended beyond his academic career; he also led the Heidelberg branch of the German Colonial Society, fostering research on colonial territories.
Theoretical Innovations
Hettner's profound impact on geography lies in his theoretical advancements, specifically the development of the chorological approach. He defined geography as the study of Earth's space and the interconnected phenomena within it. These geographical objects and their interactions, he argued, formed distinctive landscapes, including human societies. Unique combinations of objects and phenomena led to the creation of geographical regions, or choroi, which became the focus of regional geography.
Influence and Legacy
Hettner's ideas resonated with Anglo-American geography, particularly with Richard Hartshorne and scholars of the spatial analysis school. In the Soviet Union, however, his teachings (dubbed "Hettnerianism") were denounced as pseudo-scientific due to their perceived ideological leanings. Hettner's disciple, A. A. Grigoryev, renounced his mentor's chorological ideas and publicly criticized them.
Post-Soviet Reassessment
The Soviet stance on Hettner's work shifted in the post-Soviet era, with a reevaluation of his contributions. While his writings remain untranslated into Russian, his influence continues to shape contemporary geographical thought.
