Collections
The Linnean Society of London is the world’s oldest active biological society and has in its care several important collections, including those of the Swedish botanist, Carl Linnaeus, and the Society’s founder, Sir James Edward Smith.
Designated a collection of outstanding national importance by the Arts Council England in 2014, the holdings of the Linnean Society (which include library, archive and biological specimen material) provide an unsurpassed resource for the study of natural history.
Christmas and New Year Closures
Please note that the Society, including the exhibition, library and archives, will close for the Christmas vacation between December 24 and January 2 (inclusive). The exhibition, library and archives will remain closed for an additional fortnight in the new year, for our annual housekeeping. We will reopen to visitors on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
Additionally, the library will be closed and unavailable to readers on Friday, January 23 (all day) for preparatory work for our next exhibition.
We apologise for this inconvenience.
The Library and Archives are open Tuesdays–Fridays, 10am–5pm.
If you would like to make an appointment, please email library@linnean.org. To allow adequate time to retrieve material, we ask that appointments are made at least 48 hours in advance, if possible.
Visits to our biological specimen collections must be overseen by our honorary curators, who work at other institutions. If you wish to arrange such a visit, please contact the Collections team at least a fortnight in advance.
