The Linnean Society of London
The Linnean Society of London is the world’s oldest active biological society, dedicated to the study and dissemination of information concerning natural history, evolution, and taxonomy. Founded in 1788, the society was named in honor of the celebrated Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus, who is renowned for developing the system of binomial nomenclature, the formal system of naming species of living things.
History and Location
Since 1857, the Linnean Society has been headquartered at Burlington House, Piccadilly, London, an address it shares with several other learned societies including the Geological Society of London, the Royal Astronomical Society, the Society of Antiquaries of London, and the Royal Society of Chemistry. During World War II, the threat of war necessitated the relocation of the Linnean collections to Woburn Abbey in Bedfordshire, where they remained for the duration of the war.
Collections and Publications
The Linnean Society houses several important biological specimens, manuscripts, and literature collections. It is renowned for its academic journals which include:
- Biological Journal of the Linnean Society: A descendant of the oldest biological journal in the world, the Transactions of the Linnean Society.
- Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society: Focuses on plant biology and is accessible both in print and online formats.
- Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society: Covers zoological sciences and is published monthly in partnership with Oxford University Press.
Awards and Recognition
The Linnean Society recognizes outstanding contributions to natural history with several awards, the most prestigious being the Linnean Medal, established in 1888. This medal is awarded annually and highlights the recipient's significant achievements in the field of natural history.
Related Learned Societies
The Linnean Society is part of a rich tradition of British learned societies, sharing common goals with institutions like the Royal Society and the Zoological Society of London. These societies engage in activities that promote scientific knowledge and collaboration across various domains of natural and physical sciences.