Carl von Linné

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Carl von Linné
Born 23 May 1707(1707-05-23)
Råshult, Stenbrohult parish (now within Älmhult Municipality), Sweden
Died 10 January 1778 (aged 70)
Hammarby (estate), Danmark parish (outside Uppsala), Sweden
Fields Biology, Botany, Zoology
Institutions Uppsala University
Alma mater Lund, Uppsala, Harderwijk
Thesis Dissertatio medica inauguralis in qua exhibetur hypothesis nova de febrium intermittentium causa (1735)
Known for
Author abbreviation (botany) L.
Author abbreviation (zoology) Linnaeus / Linné
Spouse ∞ 1739 Sara Elisabeth Moræa; 7 children

Carl Nilsson Linnaeus, since 1756/61 Carl von Linné (Latin: Carolus Linnæus and Carolus a Linné; 23 May 1707 – 10 January 1778), was a Swedish botanist, zoologist, and physician who formalized the binomial nomenclature, the modern system of naming organisms. He is known as the "father of modern taxonomy". His system also included now less politically correct human racial taxonomical aspects.

Life

Carl Linnaeus was born in 1707 on 13 May (Swedish calendar) or 23 May according to the Gregorian calendar. According to the Julian calendar he was born on 12 May. He was going to be a priest, but did not do well enough in school for that. Instead his interest in botany got him started studying at a university for this. Carl studied in Lund and tried to make something of the garden there. He later went to another university.

In 1735, Linnaeus moved to the Netherlands for three years. Here he earned his degree in medicine. He also published his book on plant classification. Later he moved to Stockholm and practiced as a doctor. In 1739, Linnaeus married Sara Morea in Stockholm. Throughout the 1740s, he conducted many field trips to places in Sweden to name plants and animals. When not on travels, Linnaeus worked on his classification, so it would work for plants, animals, and minerals.

The Swedish King Adolf Frederick from the House of Holstein-Gottorp granted Linnaeus nobility at the end of 1756, but he was not officially ennobled until 1761. Linnaeus received the last name von Linné, later often signing just Carl Linné, but never again Linnaeus. After he was made a noble, he continued teaching and writing. His reputation had spread over the world, and he talked with many different people. Von Linné was upset by weak health, and he had gout and tooth aches.

Death

A stroke in 1774 weakened him, and two years later he had another, losing the use of his right side. Carl Nilsson von Linné died on January 1778 and was buried in Uppsala cathedral.

Selected publications

See also

External links

Encyclopedias