Awesome news for nature geeks, as the Linnaeus’ collections become available online. Carl Linnaeus was the creator of our current system of biological taxonomy and one of the fathers of modern ecology.
The Linnean Society is the custodian of Linnaeus’ collections, which comprises specimens of plants (14,000), fish (168 ), shells (1,564) and insects (3,198 ) acquired from the widow of Carl Linnaeus in 1784 by James Edward Smith as well as Smith’s own plant (17,000 specimens) and insect (5,800) collections. The collections also include the library of Linnaeus (some 1600 volumes) and around 3000 letters and manuscripts.
It is the Linnean Society’s aim to make available its primary research material in digital formats to support taxonomic and conservation efforts worldwide as well as providing public pleasure and enjoyment.
– The Linnean Collections
To provide worldwide online access to its priceless collections of specimens, manuscripts and letters, the Society is creating a digital archive of over 12 Terabytes of unique material, under the overall title of the Linnean Society Collections Online (previously the CARLS Programme – Computer Access to the Records of the Linnean Society). The Society is also supporting important initiatives to enable much wider access to Linnaean holdings worldwide through partnerships and funding support, such as The Linnean Plant Name Typification Project and The Linnaeus Link Project.
— The Linnean Society of London
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