The Man Who Organized Nature: The Life of Linnaeus

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A new biography of Carl Linnaeus, offering a vivid portrait of Linnaeuss life and work

Carl Linnaeus (17071778), known as the father of modern biological taxonomy, formalized and popularized the system of binomial nomenclature used to classify plants and animals. Linnaeus himself classified thousands of species; the simple and immediately recognizable abbreviation L is used to mark classifications originally made by Linnaeus. This biography, by the leading authority on Linnaeus, offers a vivid portrait of Linnaeuss life and work. Drawing on a wide range of previously unpublished sourcesincluding diaries and personal correspondenceas well as new research, it presents revealing and original accounts of his family life, the political context in which he pursued his work, and his eccentric views on sexuality.

The Man Who Organized Nature describes Linnaeuss childhood in a landscape of striking natural beauty and how this influenced his later work. Linnaeuss Lutheran pastor father, knowledgeable about plants and an enthusiastic gardener, helped foster an early interest in botany. The book examines the political connections that helped Linnaeus secure patronage for his work, and untangles his ideas about sexuality. These were not, as often assumed, an attempt to naturalize gender categories but more likely reflected the laissez-faire attitudes of the era. Linnaeus, like many other brilliant scientists, could be moody and egotistical; the book describes his human failings as well as his medical and scientific achievements. Written in an engaging and accessible style, The Man Who Organized Natureone of the only biographies of Linnaeus to appear in Englishprovides new and fascinating insights into the life of one of historys most consequential and enigmatic scientists.

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"A detailed account of his subjects work as well as his 'darker aspects.' . . . Writing for a general audience. . . . Everything you ever wanted to know about Linnaeus and more." * Kirkus Reviews *

Author Bio

Gunnar Broberg (19422022) was professor emeritus of history of ideas and sciences at Lund University in Sweden. He was the author of numerous books, including Golden Apples, which won the August Prize for best Swedish nonfiction title of the year, and The History of the Night, which was nominated for Best Swedish History Book of the Year.