The History of the Linnean Society of London
The Linnean Society of London is among the oldest of London's Learned Societies and is the world's oldest active organisation devoted exclusively to natural history in the broadest sense. Fellowship is open to all interested in the science of natural history.
Founded in 1788, the Society is named after the great Swedish scientist Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778), whose botanical, zoological and library collections have been in its keeping since 1829.
The Society’s founder and first president was Sir James Edward Smith (1759-1828). He was amongst those instrumental in its practical establishment as a meeting place for the cultivation of the science of natural history. A scientist and collector, Smith acquired the plant and animal specimens originally collected by Linnaeus and augmented them with many specimens of his own.
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The Society received its Grant of Arms in December 1802. The design was based on that chosen by Linnaeus.
The motto, "Naturae Discere Mores", means "to learn the ways of nature". The three fields in the shield represent the three kingdoms of nature.
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