Prussian statesman, education reformer, philosopher and linguist - Wilhelm von Humboldt (1767-1835) affected many areas. His liberal ideas dedicated to Neohumanism led to far-reaching changes in the Prussian education system. The establishment of the Berlin University (later Humboldt University) and the Humanistic High School (Humanistisches Gymnasium) can be traced back to him. Both were founded against the background of a universal education ideal with the goal of releasing all individual strengths, especially through the study of ancient literature and the medium of language, but also in dealing with other sciences. Proficient in several European languages himself, von Humboldt's greatest interest was the analytical study of all of the world's languages. The 17-volume edition of the collected writings of Wilhelm von Humboldt, published from 1903 to 1936 by the Royal Prussian Academy of Sciences through Albert Leitzmann, Bruno Gebhardt and Wilhelm Richter, remains the most significant edition of von Humboldt's works today. The edition remains the only collection to include the diversified works of this great thinker, including the hand-written manuscripts of his estate. The works are arranged thematically and chronologically and are presented in four sections: works (e.g. literary, linguistic, philosophical essays), political memoirs, diaries, and political letters. The collection may be ordered as a complete 17-volume set, but individual volumes are now also available for the first time.