Carl Linneaus: A 300-Year Legacy, to honor the Swedish naturalist known as the ‘Father of Taxonomy’. While still a university student, Linnaeus invented a scientific system of classifying plants and animals that took 18th century Europe by storm and ultimately revolutionized the field of natural history. The Linnaean classification system continues to be taught in biology classrooms the world over and to be used by contemporary scientists as they document and name new species. This small exhibit will trace the history of Linnaeus’ scientific accomplishments and offer insight into the personality and motivations of this deeply religious scholar who set out on a mission to document the divine order and wisdom revealed in the natural world. Carl Linneaus: A 300-Year Legacy will showcase a variety of objects from Harvard University’s botanical collections including selected plant and animal specimens named by and for Linnaeus, an original letter penned in the naturalist’s own hand, and rare early editions of some of his renowned publications – Systema Naturae, Flora Lapponica, Hortus Cliffortianus and Species Plantarum. The Carl Linnaeus mini-exhibit will be on display until May 23, 2008.

Registration required:

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Free:

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