A Selection of the Correspondence of Linnaeus, and Other Naturalists 2 Volume Set From the Original Manuscripts

After the death of the younger Carl Linnaeus in 1783, the entirety of the Linnean collections, including the letters received by the elder Linnaeus from naturalists all over Europe, was purchased by the English botanist James Edward Smith (1759–1828), later co-founder and first president of the Linnean Society of London. In 1821, Smith published this two-volume selection of the letters exchanged by Linnaeus père et fils and many of the leading figures in the study of natural history, revealing some of the close ties of shared knowledge and affection that bound the European scientific community at that time. Where necessary, Smith translates the letters into English, with the exception of those written in French, which are presented in the original. Volume 1 illuminates the epistolary relationships of Linnaeus senior with Peter Collinson, John Ellis and Alexander Garden. The varied correspondents of Linnaeus senior whose letters appear in Volume 2 include the botanists Johann Dillenius and Bernard de Jussieu.

Volume 1: Preface; Biographical memoir of Peter Collinson; His letters to Linnaeus; Extract of a letter of Sir Joseph Banks; Biographical memoir of John Ellis; His correspondence with Linnaeus; Biographical memoir of Alexander Garden; His letters to Linnaeus; His correspondence with Ellis; Letter of Dr Francis Garden. Volume 2: Biographical memoir of Solander; Letters; Biographical memoir of Dillenius; Letters and correspondence; Biographical memoir of Don J. C. Mutis; Letters and correspondence; Index.