The Linnean Society
(1788-present)

group and society

Aged 236

The Linnean Society of London is a learned society dedicated to the study and dissemination of information concerning natural history, evolution, and taxonomy. It possesses several important biological specimen, manuscript and literature collections, and publishes academic journals and books on plant and animal biology. The society also awards a number of prestigious medals and prizes. A product of the 18th-century enlightenment, the Society is the oldest extant biological society in the world and is historically important as the venue for the first public presentation of the theory of evolution by natural selection on 1 July 1858. The patron of the society was Queen Elizabeth II. Honorary members include: King Charles III of Great Britain, Emeritus Emperor Akihito of Japan, King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden (both of latter have active interests in natural history), and the eminent naturalist and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough.

DbPedia
Wikidata Wikipedia

Commemorated on 1 plaque

Sir Joseph Banks 1743-1820, President of the Royal Society, Robert Brown 1773-1858 and, David Don 1800-1841 botanists, lived in a house on this site, The Linnean Society met here 1821-1857

32 Soho Square, Westminster, W1, London, United Kingdom where it assembled