Maximilian zu Wied-Neuwied

Prince Alexander Philipp Maximilian zu Wied-Neuwied (September 23, 1782 – February 3, 1867) was a German explorer, ethnologist and naturalist.

Wied was born in Neuwied, the second son of the ruling prince. He studied biological sciences under Johann Friedrich Blumenbach. He joined the Prussian army in 1802 during the Napoleonic War, rising to the rank of Major-General. He retired from the army in 1815.

Wied led an expedition to south-east Brazil from 1815 to 1817, on his return writing Reise nach Brasilien (1820–21) and Beitrage zur Natureregeschite von Brasilien (1825–33). In 1832 he travelled to North America, accompanied by the Swiss painter Karl Bodmer on a journey up the Missouri River. He wrote Reise in das Innere Nord-Amerika (1840) on his return.