Linnean Society of London

The Linnean Society of London ( German: Linnean Society ) was founded in 1788 and is the oldest existing nature inquiring society. It offers biologists and biology to interested lay a forum by organizing numerous events and conferences and also publishes the following magazines:

  • Biological Journal of the Linnean Society - Biology journal
  • Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society - Botany journal
  • Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society - Zoology journal
  • The Linnean - quarterly bulletin of the society, in 2009 replaced by pulses.

Thematic priorities form, inter alia, genetics, biodiversity, systematics, and plant and animal taxonomy.

The principle set out in the founding company's mission is "The cultivation of the Science of Natural History in all its branches ", ie, the maintenance of the science of natural history in all its branches.

The Linnean Society is named after the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus. The company is based in Burlington House, Piccadilly, London. New members shall be chosen by election.

Medals and prizes

The following medals and prizes will be awarded by the Company:

  • Linnean Medal, established in 1888 to 100 - year celebration. It is the highest award of the Society for scientific work and is held annually in exchange to a botanist or a zoologist or ( what has been common since 1958) awarded to both in the same year.
  • HH Bloomer Award, established in 1963 from a bequest of the amateur naturalist Harry Howard Bloomer, to honor an amateur researcher who has made ​​a significant contribution to biology.
  • Bicentenary Award, established in 1978 for the 200th anniversary of Linnaeus. The prize is awarded annually to "recognize the work of a person under 40 years."
  • Jill Smythies Award, established in 1986, awarded for botanical illustrations
  • Irene Manton Prize, established in 1990. For the best dissertation in botany during one academic year in UK

Collections

The botanical and zoological collections of Linnaeus were purchased in 1783 by Sir James Edward Smith, the first president of the company, on the advice of Sir Joseph Banks. The collections are now in London and include 14,000 plants, 158 fish, 1564 shells, 3198 insects, 1600 books and 3000 letters and other documents. You can be visited by appointment.

The plant collection of Smith is also run by the company. She was captured by the Smith Herbarium project at the National Museum Liverpool in a database. 6000 copies were cleaned and repaired.

William T. Stearn
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