1707-1778

Swedish Physician and Botanist

Carolus Linnaeus established the system of binomial nomenclature and a taxonomical hierarchy in the 1700s. Roundly acclaimed as the first successful attempt to classify and name living things, the system continues as the taxonomical system used today. Under this system, animals and plants have unique and universally accepted two-part names: the generic (or genus) name and the specific (or species) name. Linnaeus also designated higher levels of organization, such as classes and orders, to further organize the animals and plants into groupings that are useful for identification and study purposes.

Linnaeus was born Carl von Linné in Råshult, Sweden, on May 23, 1707. He became interested in botany at an early age. His father, Nils Linné (originally Nils Ingemarsson), had hoped his son would follow in his professional footsteps and become a pastor, but instead the young man showed more curiosity toward...