Linnaeus (1707–1778) is renowned for introducing the system of classifying all living things that is still in use today. Systema Naturae, published in December 1735, is the seminal work that startled the scientific community of the era by introducing a sexual system of classifying plants. Linnaeus later expanded his work by creating a two-part naming convention—what is known as the scientific, or “Latin,” names of species.

Only 43 copies of the first edition of Systema Naturae exist. In 1977, it was discovered that this copy on display here was owned by Linnaeus himself. Indeed, it is marked with his handwritten corrections to the text. The United States tour of this book has been organized in collaboration with the Consulate General of Sweden in New York and the Hagströmer Medico-Historical Library at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, where the book is housed. Learn more about the book.

Other Linnaean documents from the extensive collections of the LuEsther T. Mertz Library will also be on view, and tours and talks about Linnaeus are scheduled.


Thursday, November 8
Viewing hours: Noon to 6 p.m.
Garden Patrons Event (by invitation only)
Lecture by preeminent biologist and author Dr. Edward O. Wilson and Dr. Katarina Andreasen, Assistant Professor at the Department of Systematic Botany, Uppsala University in Sweden and a leader in evolutionary biology.
LuEsther T. Mertz Library, 6 p.m.


Friday, November 9
Viewing hours: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Guided tour
View Systema Naturae and hear about the impact and influence of Linnaeus, followed by a tour of the Plants of Japan in Illustrated Books and Prints exhibition.
Mertz Library, 2:30 p.m.


Saturday, November 10
Viewing hours: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Public lecture
Dr. Robbin Moran, Linnaean scholar and scientist at The New York Botanical Garden, and Dr. Gunnar Broberg, a professor in the Department of History of Science and Ideas at the University of Lund, Sweden, will talk about Linnaeus and his work.
Location to be decided, 12 p.m.