Summary
Carl Linnaeus, the 18th-century Swedish scientist who established the modern hierarchical classification system.
In depth
He described around 12,000 species in later editions of Systema Naturae, using sexual parts of plants to classify them. He grouped humans with primates. His system was fixed (pre-evolutionary).
Linnaeus laid out a consistent naming scheme. His classification was based on visible traits. Later biologists changed groups as evolution became understood.
Remember: he did not propose evolution.
Carl Linnaeus (1707 to 1778) was a Swedish physician and botanist at Uppsala who set out a consistent system for naming and classifying nature in Systema Naturae (first edition 1735, with the tenth edition of 1758 as the starting point for zoological names).
He grouped organisms by shared physical features, introduced a hierarchy of class, order, genus and species, and promoted binomial names. His plant classification used the number of stamens and pistils (sexual system). He placed humans among primates, a bold step. He believed species were fixed, and some of his groupings were artificial and have since been revised.
Example: the type specimen of Homo sapiens is Linnaeus himself, by later designation.
Frequently asked questions
What is Linnaeus?
Carl Linnaeus, the 18th-century Swedish scientist who established the modern hierarchical classification system.
Which area of biology covers Linnaeus, and how advanced is it?
Linnaeus is one of the 52 topics in Taxonomy & Biodiversity. It is rated Intermediate, so it suits learners who already know the core vocabulary. Related topics in this area include Taxonomy, Taxonomic Hierarchy, Binomial Nomenclature.
Why does Linnaeus matter?
His system gave scientists a common language, later reinterpreted in the light of evolution by Darwin.
Can you give an example of Linnaeus?
His type specimens are kept in the Linnean Society.
What should I learn before Linnaeus?
Work through the Beginner topics in Taxonomy & Biodiversity first, such as Taxonomy, Binomial Nomenclature, Taxonomic Hierarchy, then return to Linnaeus. Intermediate topics assume the Beginner vocabulary.
What topics are related to Linnaeus?
The closest topics to Linnaeus are Taxonomy, Taxonomic Hierarchy, Binomial Nomenclature, Monophyletic Groups. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Linnaeus?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Linnaeus. To practise the whole of Taxonomy & Biodiversity, use the Taxonomy & Biodiversity quiz.
How is Linnaeus different from Taxonomy?
Linnaeus: Carl Linnaeus, the 18th-century Swedish scientist who established the modern hierarchical classification system. Taxonomy: The science of naming, describing and classifying organisms. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
How should I study Linnaeus step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Taxonomy and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Taxonomy & Biodiversity quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.