

William Home Lizars (1788–1859)
Linnaeus, aetatis 25, in his Lapland dress (detail)
engraving; 8.7 x 6.6 cm
Rex Nan Kivell Collection, NK10960;
nla.pic-an9632494
Carl Linnaeus invented the way the natural world is described. While much modified, his ‘system’ of hierarchical classification, from three great Kingdoms to Classes, Orders, to Genus and Species remains largely intact. Equally, his ‘binomial’ form of classification is still used. That is, all living things have a unique two word Latin description.

Edmund Thomas (1827–1867)
Artocarpaceae, the bread-fruit tribe (detail)
hand coloured lithograph; sheet 39.5 x 28 cm
Rex Nan Kivell Collection, NK2833;
nla.pic-an8390241
So, for example, humankind is homo sapiens, a term first used by Linnaeus. Australia is the world’s first Linnaean nation. Except for some plant specimens collected in the late 17th century by William Dampier in New Holland, the flora and fauna of Australia has otherwise been classified according to the principles established by Linnaeus.
The voyage of the Endeavour (1768–1771) with both Joseph Banks, ‘a gentleman of large fortune’ a key supporter, and a Linnaean ‘apostle’ Daniel Solander on board, was arguably the first modern plant-collecting expedition. In 1788, as Sydney was being settled in distant New South Wales, the Linnaean Society of London was founded. In 2007 the National Library is celebrating the 300th anniversary of the birth of Linnaeus.

Unknown artist
Banksia 1842?
watercolour; 19.3 x 23.5 cm
Rex Nan Kivell Collection, NK2717/29;
nla.pic-an6244366

Emile-Theophile Blanchard (b.1795)
Butterflies; Danaaide eunice, Danaaide eleutho, Papillon priam, Argynne egestine,
Nymphale acilia, Callimorphe requin 1822
watercolour; 27.2 x 19.2 cmw, Rex Nan Kivell Collection, NK6063/E;
nla.pic-an3099599-1

James Sowerby (1757–1822)
Embothrium speciosissimum
hand coloured engraving; 23.5 x 16.0 cm
Rex Nan Kivell Collection, NK7403;
nla.pic-an10152071

Unknown artist
Possum 1842?
watercolour; 22.5 x 18.3 cm
Rex Nan Kivell Collection, NK2717/74;
nla.pic-an6244873

F. Sansom, engraver after S. Edwards
Eucalyptus flowers (detail)
hand coloured engraving; 23.5 x 13.8 cm
Rex Nan Kivell Collection, NK11617/5;
nla.pic-an8397200

Unknown artist
Praying mantis? 1842?
watercolour; 23.8 x 17.6 cm
Rex Nan Kivell Collection, NK2717/70;
nla.pic-an6244953

John Frederick Miller (active 1772–1796)
Ardea naevia
hand coloured engraving; 41.8 x 28.5 cm
nla.pic-an8391530

Kerner, Johann Simon, (1755-1830)
Acacia grandiflora 1818 or 1819
watercolour; 58.8 x 43.5 cm
nla.pic-an8847099

