The New Naturalist Library
Not all the treasures in the Linnean Society’s collections are venerable antiques. This month’s featured item—in fact, a whole series of items—is a masterpiece of the mid-20th century
Published on 8th April 2024
The New Naturalist series (sometimes known as the New Naturalist Library or simply, the “New Naturalists”) is a series of popular introductions to a range of natural history topics published by Collins. In an introduction to the series by the ornithologist Guy Mountfort, its aim is said to be “to interest the general reader in the wildlife of Britain by recapturing the inquiring spirit of the old naturalists”. The first volume, on butterflies, was written by E.B. Ford and published in 1945, with subsequent instalments following—more or less regularly—up to the present day. Many notable Linnean Society Fellows have contributed volumes in that time, including R.S.R Fitter, W.H. Pearsall, and Max Nicholson.
Aside from their content, the series is famed for its lively dust jackets. Until around 1983, these were designed by the British artists and printmakers Rosemary and Clifford Ellis (with Robert Gilmour taking over from 1985 onwards). With their bold, colourful, and charismatic designs, the jackets are almost as beloved as the books themselves.
Many fine runs of the New Naturalist series can be found in libraries and private collections around the world, but what sets the Linnean Society’s copies apart is their provenance. Our set was the property of James Fisher, a noted author, broadcaster, and naturalist, and one of the series’ first editors. These are his working file copies, and many early instalments bristle with annotations and inserted notes. As such they provide a fascinating window into the production of this enduringly popular series.
Tragically, James Fisher died in a car crash in 1970, at which point the books passed to his surviving family. In 2019, James’ daughter Dr Clemency (Clem) Fisher FLS, donated the entire set to the library of the Linnean Society, on the condition it be kept together, and new volumes acquired as they’re published. To celebrate the gift, a small display of the set was mounted in our Discovery Room in 2019/2020. The set now has pride of place in our main reading room, where the volumes’ colourful spines are distinctive among their leather and buckram-clad neighbours.
Like all books in the Linnean Society library, they’re objects for use as well as admiration, and can be consulted on request.
Will Beharrell, Librarian
The New Naturalist volumes in their permanent home in the Linnean Society Library
Volumes from the New Naturalist Library can be found on the Linnean Society's library catalogue. Search for "The New Naturalist", selecting "Series title" from the drop down menu next to the search box. All titles in the series have classmarks beginning "58/59 NNS".
Image of the Discovery Room display © the Linnean Society of London. All other images taken by the author.