Stories from our Collections
After the Flood
Conservator Janet Ashdown takes us through the process of rescuing one of our treasures, which had become damaged by a water leak in June 2021.
11th January 2023
Finding the Original Collectors of Linnaeus' Fishes
In 1771, a black man braved a storm to collect a fish that was sent to Linnaeus and is studied even today. Head of Collections Dr Isabelle Charmantier uncovers the invaluable role of unrecognised black collectors employed by Alexander Garden.
9th October 2022
A Family Feud: George Bentham's life and letters
English botanist George Bentham, past President of the Linnean Society, enjoyed a close, bittersweet relationship with his uncle, philosopher and social reformer, Jeremy Bentham, who eventually convinced George to give up the study of law for botany.
22nd September 2022
Thomas Baines and the Great Tree Aloe
During research into the provenance of Charles Darwin’s vasculum (used on the voyage of the HMS Beagle), Glenn Benson, our Honorary Curator of Artefacts, came across this sketch of ‘The Great Tree Aloe of Damara Land’ by Thomas Baines (1820–1875).
31st August 2022
Linnaeus and Liberty: the Life and Works of John Milton in the Library of Carl Linnaeus
Join our Librarian Will Beharrell as we examine three distinctly unscientific volumes from Carl Linnaeus' private library
31st July 2022
Judging a Book by its Cover: 18th-century hand-decorated papers in the Linnean Society's Collections
Artisanal hand-decorated papers were all the rage in the 18th century. Conservator Janet Ashdown combs our collections to see what examples we hold.
1st July 2022
