The Man Who Organized Nature - by Gunnar Broberg

Book Synopsis

A vivid portrait of the life and work of Carl Linnaeus

Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778), 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thousands of species; the simple and immediately recognizable abbreviation "L" is used to mark classifications originally made by Linnaeus.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 Linnaeus's life and work. Drawing on a wide range of previously unpublished sources--including diaries and personal correspondence--as well as new research, it presents revealing and original accounts of his family life, the political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 Linnaeus's childhood in a landscape of striking natural beauty and how this influenced his later work. Linnaeus's 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 Nature provides new and fascinating insights into the life of one of history's most consequential and enigmatic scientists.

Review Quotes

"The Man Who Organized Nature offers a full immersion in Linnaeus's life and for readers desiring a thorough take on its subject that does not skimp on the detail, this is an unparalleled book that delivers in spades."---Leon Vlieger, NHBS

"Written in an engaging and accessible style, this biography--one of the few available in English-- offers new and fascinating insights into the life of one of history's most influential and enigmatic scientists."-- "The Flora Journal"

"A beguiling and expert account of an extraordinary individual who helped shape our understanding of the natural world."---Linda Colley, Financial Times

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

"A reminder of the remarkable life Linnaeus lead and the influence he had on the development of modern biology. . . . His work deserves to be remembered in magisterial biographies like this."---Laurence A. Marschall, Natural History

"A rich and weighty book. . . .It communicates a wealth of learning about Linnaeus and undoubtedly there will be reasons to return to it many times."---Hanna Hodacs, Archives of Natural History

"A rich portrait. . . . [Broberg] offers readers an immersive glimpse into the life of a scientist who was instrumental to the formation of botany, zoology, and taxonomy. . . . The Man Who Organized Nature is sure to become the definitive biography of Linnaeus."---Darren Incorvaia, Science

"A striking addition to the list of key scientific biographies."---Brian Clegg, Popular Science

"A Seminary Co-Op Notable Book of the Year"

"Gunnar Broberg's biography, The Man Who Organized Nature: The Life of Linnaeus, proves that Linnaeus was far more than a dry taxonomist. . . . Broberg's book is extremely rich in source material and archival evidence that bring dimension to the personality, life, and work of Linnaeus. It weaves together different aspects of his ideas and experience with the larger scientific, political, and social contexts of his time. It paints a picture of a thinker and person who was far more than a maker of taxonomic tables."---Hanna Roman, H-Net Reviews

"If categorization is crucial to making sense of the world, how should we classify Carl Linnaeus? . . . Broberg's biography dutifully accompanies Linnaeus every step of the way."---Kathryn Schulz, The New Yorker

"This is surely the definitive biography of Carl Linnaeus. . . . The book gives a rounded and vivid portrait highlighting his flaws as well as creative genius."-- "Paradigm Explorer"

"True to its title, this is a biography about Linnaeus the man, not just the scientist."---Marshall D. Sundberg, Plant Science Bulletin

"We should be grateful to Broberg for the decades of research distilled into the volume, the closest thing to a comprehensive and contextualised account of Linnaeus as we are likely to get for at least a generation."---Lorraine Daston, London Review of Books

"Whether we realize it or not, we live in a Linnaean world. . . . An excellent starting point for the general reader. Dispensing with the prevalent image of Linnaeus as nature's dullest bookkeeper, Broberg paints a moving portrait of a profoundly vulnerable human being."---Christoph Irmscher, Wall Street Journal

About the Author

Gunnar Broberg (1942-2022) 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. Anna Paterson, a retired neuroscientist, is an award-winning translator and the author of Scotland's Landscape: Endangered Icon.