Linnean Society of London
Encyclopedia
World
World is a common name for the whole of human civilization, specifically human experience, history, or the human condition in general, worldwide, i.e. anywhere on Earth....
's premier society for the study and dissemination of taxonomy
Taxonomy
Taxonomy is the science of identifying and naming species, and arranging them into a classification. The field of taxonomy, sometimes referred to as "biological taxonomy", revolves around the description and use of taxonomic units, known as taxa...
and natural history. It publishes a zoological journal
Academic journal
An academic journal is a peer-reviewed periodical in which scholarship relating to a particular academic discipline is published. Academic journals serve as forums for the introduction and presentation for scrutiny of new research, and the critique of existing research...
, as well as botanical and biological journals. It also issues The Linnean, a review of the history
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
of the society and of taxonomy
Taxonomy
Taxonomy is the science of identifying and naming species, and arranging them into a classification. The field of taxonomy, sometimes referred to as "biological taxonomy", revolves around the description and use of taxonomic units, known as taxa...
in general.
The Linnean Society was founded in 1788, taking its name from the Swedish naturalist Carolus Linnaeus.
The Society is based at Burlington House
Burlington House
Burlington House is a building on Piccadilly in London. It was originally a private Palladian mansion, and was expanded in the mid 19th century after being purchased by the British government...
, Piccadilly
Piccadilly
Piccadilly is a major street in central London, running from Hyde Park Corner in the west to Piccadilly Circus in the east. It is completely within the city of Westminster. The street is part of the A4 road, London's second most important western artery. St...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. Individual membership categories are: Student member, Associate member and full Fellow. All forms of membership require nomination by at least two Fellows and are subject to election. Fellows use the designation FLS after their names.
Medals and prizes
The Linnean Society of London aims to promote the study of all aspects of the biological sciences, with particular emphasis on evolution, taxonomy, biodiversity and sustainability. Through awarding medals and grants, the Society acknowledges and encourages excellence in all of these fields.The following medals and prizes are awarded by the Linnean Society:
- Linnean MedalLinnean MedalThe Linnean Medal of the Linnean Society of London was established in 1888, and is awarded annually to alternately a botanist or a zoologist or to one of each in the same year...
, established 1888, awarded annually to alternately a botanist or a zoologist or (as has been common since 1958) to one of each in the same year. - H. H. Bloomer AwardH. H. Bloomer AwardThe H. H. Bloomer Award is an award of the Linnean Society established in 1963 from a legacy by the amateur naturalist Harry Howard Bloomer, awarded "an amateur naturalist who has made an important contribution to biological knowledge"*1963 - J.E. Lousley...
, established 1963 from a legacy by the amateur naturalist Harry Howard Bloomer, awarded "an amateur naturalist who has made an important contribution to biological knowledge" - Bicentenary MedalBicentenary Medal of the Linnean SocietyThe Bicentenary Medal is a scientific award which is awarded by the Linnean Society. It is awarded annually in recognition of work done by a biologist under the age of 40 years. It was first awarded in 1978 on the 200th anniversary of the death of Carolus Linnaeus.- Recipients :*1978 ‐ David...
, established 1978, on the 200th anniversary of the death of Linnaeus, "in recognition of work done by a person under the age of 40 years". - Jill Smythies Award, established 1986, awarded for botanical illustrations.
- Irene Manton Prize, established 1990, for the best dissertation in botany during an academic year.
- Darwin-Wallace MedalDarwin-Wallace MedalThe Darwin–Wallace Medal is a medal awarded by the Linnean Society of London for "major advances in evolutionary biology". Historically, the medals have been awarded every 50 years, beginning in 1908...
, for major advances in evolutionary biology. - Linnean Tercentenary MedalLinnean Tercentenary MedalThe Linnean Tercentenary Medal was commissioned in 2007 by the Linnean Society to commemorate the tercentenary of the birth of Carl Linnaeus. Recipients were in two categories: Silver Medal and Bronze Medal, for outstanding contributions to natural history....
, established in 2007
Collections
Linnaeus' botanical and zoologicalZoology
Zoology |zoölogy]]), is the branch of biology that relates to the animal kingdom, including the structure, embryology, evolution, classification, habits, and distribution of all animals, both living and extinct...
collections were purchased in 1783 by Sir James Edward Smith
James Edward Smith
Sir James Edward Smith was an English botanist and founder of the Linnean Society.Smith was born in Norwich in 1759, the son of a wealthy wool merchant. He displayed a precocious interest in the natural world...
, the first President of the society, and are now held in London by the society. The collections include 14,000 plants, 158 fish, 1,564 shells, 3,198 insects, 1,600 books and 3,000 letters and documents. They may be viewed by appointment.
Smith's own plant collection is also held by the Society. It has been databased by the Smith Herbarium Project at the National Museums Liverpool
National Museums Liverpool
National Museums Liverpool, previously known as National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside, comprises several museums and art galleries in and around Liverpool, England. All museums and galleries in this group have free admission...
. 6,000 specimens have been cleaned and repaired.
Presidents
Linnean Societies worldwide
Australia- Linnean Society of New South WalesLinnean Society of New South WalesThe Linnean Society of New South Wales promotes the Cultivation and Study of the Science of Natural History in all its Branches and was founded in Sydney, New South Wales in 1874 and incorporated in 1884. It succeeded the Entomological Society of New South Wales, founded in 1862 and folded in...
Canada
- Société linnéenne du Québec
France
- La Société Linnéenne de la Seine maritime
- Société linnéenne de Lyon
- Société linnéenne de Provence
- Société Linnéenne de Bordeaux
- Société Linnéenne de Normandie
Sweden
- The Swedish Linnaeus SocietySwedish Linnaeus SocietyThe Swedish Linnaeus Society is a Swedish learned society devoted to the study of the 18th century naturalist Carl Linnaeus. It was founded at a meeting taking place at Hammarby, the country house of Linnaeus outside Uppsala, on May 23, 1917, the 210th birthday of Carl Linnaeus...
United Kingdom
- The Linnean Society of London
United States
- The Linnean Society of Lake Superior, Inc.
- The Linnaean Society of New York
See also
:Category:Members of the Linnean Society of London:Category:Fellows of the Linnean Society of London
External links
- Linnean Society of London
- Medals and prizes of the Linnean Society
- Linnean Societies Worldwide
- The Linnaean Society of New York
- Home page of the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society*
- Home page of the Biological Journal of the Linnean Society*
- Home page of the Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society
Transactions online