Linnean Society of London facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
The Linnean Society of London

Formation	1788; 237 years ago (1788) (royal charter: 1802)
Type	Learned society
Purpose	Natural History, Evolution & Taxonomy
Location	Burlington House, Piccadilly London, W1
Membership	3,145 (as of 2021[update])
President	Anjali Goswami
Remarks	Motto: Naturae Discere Mores ("To Learn the Ways of Nature")

The Linnean Society of London is a special group of scientists and nature lovers. They are dedicated to studying and sharing information about natural history (the study of living things), evolution (how living things change over time), and taxonomy (how living things are named and grouped).

This society has many important collections of plants, animals, old writings, and books. They also publish science magazines and books about plants and animals. The society gives out special awards and prizes too.

It was started in the 1700s and is the oldest group of its kind in the world. It's famous because it was where the idea of evolution by natural selection was first shared with the public in 1858.

Queen Elizabeth II was a patron of the society. Some famous honorary members include King Charles III, Emperor Akihito of Japan, King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, and the well-known naturalist Sir David Attenborough.

What is the Linnean Society?

How the Society Started

Burlington House: The Linnean Society is on the left side of the entrance arch.

The society's building in Burlington House, seen from the courtyard.

The Linnean Society was created in 1788 by a botanist named Sir James Edward Smith. The society is named after Carl Linnaeus, a Swedish scientist often called the "father of taxonomy." He created the system we use today to name and classify plants and animals, called binomial nomenclature.

The society officially became "The Linnean Society of London" in 1802. It is the oldest natural history society still active today. From the very beginning, the society has focused only on advancing natural history, not on politics or other beliefs.

Sir James Edward Smith bought Carl Linnaeus's huge collection of specimens, books, and letters. Sir Joseph Banks, a famous botanist, encouraged Smith to buy it. Five years later, Banks supported Smith in starting the Linnean Society.

Famous People in the Society

Many important scientists have been members of the Linnean Society.

• Robert Brown, a botanist, was a librarian and later president. He discovered the cell nucleus and explained Brownian motion.
• In 1854, Charles Darwin became a member. He is one of the most famous scientists to ever join the society.
• Another well-known member was Thomas Huxley, a biologist. He was known as "Darwin's bulldog" because he strongly defended Darwin's ideas about evolution.

Other famous people from different fields also joined, like:

• Edward Jenner, a doctor who created the first vaccination.
• John Franklin and James Clark Ross, who explored the Arctic.
• Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, who founded Singapore.
• Lord Aberdeen, a former Prime Minister of Britain.

Evolution and the Society

The most important moment for biology happened at the Linnean Society on July 1, 1858. This was when the "Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection" was first presented to the public. Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace both had papers read at this meeting. They couldn't be there, so Joseph Hooker and Charles Lyell presented their work for them.

The society continued to be important for evolution studies in the 20th century. Sir Edward Bagnall Poulton, who was president from 1912 to 1916, was a strong supporter of natural selection.

Women Join the Society

The first women becoming fellows of the society in 1905. Lilian J. Veley is signing the book, while Lady Crisp is greeted by the president.

In 1904, the society elected its first female members, called "fellows." This happened after years of hard work by botanist Marian Farquharson. While some leaders of the society were unsure about letting women join, most members were supportive.

Some of the first women to join in 1905 included:

• Emma Louisa Turner, a bird expert and photographer.
• Lilian J. Veley, a microbiologist.
• Annie Lorrain Smith, who studied lichens and fungi.
• Gulielma Lister, who also studied fungi.
• Margaret Jane Benson, who studied ancient plants.

Other women elected in 1904 included Marie Stopes, a paleobotanist, and Alice Laura Embleton, a biologist and zoologist. Marian Farquharson herself was not admitted at first, but she finally joined in 1908.

A painting called "Admission of Lady Fellows" by James Sant shows eleven women signing the society's membership book on January 19, 1905.

The first female president of the society was Irene Manton (from 1973 to 1976). She was a pioneer in using electron microscopes to study tiny parts of cells. Her work helped us understand the structure of flagellum and cilia, which help cells move.

Modern Interests

In recent years, the society has become more interested in protecting biodiversity (the variety of life on Earth). In 2015, they started a new award, the John Spedan Lewis Medal, for people who make important contributions to conservation.

Where is the Society Located?

The Linnean Society has moved several times over the years. Since 1857, it has been located at Burlington House in Piccadilly, London. It shares this building with other learned societies, like the Geological Society and the Royal Astronomical Society.

During World War II in 1939, the society had to move its valuable collections out of London to keep them safe from bombings. They went to Woburn Abbey in Bedfordshire. Many precious books were also moved to Oxford.

Becoming a Member

To become a "Fellow" of the Linnean Society, you need to be nominated by at least one current fellow. Then, at least two-thirds of the voting members must elect you. Fellows can use the letters 'FLS' after their name.

Anyone who is a professional scientist or an amateur naturalist with a strong interest in nature can become a fellow. Having published scientific work is helpful but not required. After being elected, new fellows must attend a meeting in person to sign the membership book and agree to follow the society's rules. The president then officially welcomes them.

There are other types of membership too:

• Associate members support the society but don't go through the formal election process.
• Student Associate members are for students in college or university.
• Very special and limited memberships include 'Fellow honoris causa', 'Foreign', and 'Honorary' members. These are chosen by the fellows at the annual meeting in May.

Meetings and Events

Meetings are a very important part of the society's work. They are places where people who love nature can share information, talk about science, show off specimens, and listen to talks. Today, meetings are held in the evenings and at lunchtime. Most are open to the public and are free to attend.

Around May 24th, which is Carl Linnaeus's birthday, the society holds its Anniversary Meeting. This special meeting is only for fellows and their guests. During this meeting, they vote for new council members and give out medals. In 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Anniversary Meeting was held online for the first time ever.

Awards and Prizes

The Linnean Society wants to encourage the study of all parts of biology, especially evolution, taxonomy, biodiversity, and sustainability. They give out medals and grants to recognize and support excellent work in these areas.

Some of the main awards are:

• Linnean Medal: Started in 1888, given yearly to a botanist or a zoologist (or both).
• Darwin-Wallace Medal: First given in 1908, for big discoveries in evolutionary biology.
• H. H. Bloomer Award: Started in 1963, for amateur naturalists who have made important contributions.
• Trail-Crisp Award: Started in 1966, for excellent work in biological microscopy published in the UK.
• Bicentenary Medal: Started in 1978 (200 years after Linnaeus's death), for young scientists under 40.
• Jill Smythies Award: Started in 1986, for beautiful botanical illustrations.
• Linnean Gold Medal: Given in very special cases for great service to the society since 1988.
• Irene Manton Prize: Started in 1990, for the best botany research paper by a student.
• Linnean Tercentenary Medal: Given in 2007 to celebrate Linnaeus's 300th birthday.
• John C Marsden Medal: Started in 2012, for the best PhD thesis in biology.
• John Spedan Lewis Medal: Started in 2015, for people making important and new contributions to conservation.
• Sir David Attenborough Award for Fieldwork: Started in 2015.

Collections

Notebooks belonging to Alfred Russel Wallace on display in the Linnean Society library.

Muscicapa malachura (the Southern emu-wren), a new species from New South Wales, drawn by Thomas Davies in 1798.

Carl Linnaeus's amazing collections of plants and animals were bought by Sir James Edward Smith in 1783. These collections are now kept by the Linnean Society in London. They include:

• 14,000 plants
• 158 fish
• 1,564 shells
• 3,198 insects
• 1,600 books
• 3,000 letters and documents

You can see these collections by making an appointment, and there's a monthly tour available.

Sir James Edward Smith's own collection of 27,185 dried plant specimens, along with his letters and books, are also kept by the society.

Other important items held by the society include the notebooks of Alfred Russel Wallace and the paintings of plants and animals by Francis Buchanan-Hamilton from Nepal.

In 2014, the society's collections were given "designated status" by the Arts Council England. This means they are recognized as very important collections for the country and the world.

Presidents

Arms

Arms of Linnean Society of London

Crest On a wreath of the colours behind a mount in which vegetates the linnaea-borealis the sun rising in splendour all Proper. Escutcheon Per fesse the chief per pale Gules and Vert the base Sable on a fesse Argent a hurt charged with an egg erect Proper. Supporters On the dexter side a lion Or gorged with a linnaea-borealis Proper therefrom a shield pendent per pale wavy Argent and Ermine charged with a rose slipped Gules and a thistle fesseways Proper and on the sinister side an eagle rising Proper gorged as the dexter therefrom a shield pendent Argent charged with a trefoil slipped Vert. Motto NATURAE DISCERE MORES

Images for kids

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  The main library at the Linnean Society of London.

See also

In Spanish: Sociedad Linneana de Londres para niños

• Dorothea Pertz, one of the first women awarded full membership
• Linnaeus Link Project