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Botanist, teacher, explorer and physicist Carl Linnaeus is known as the "father of taxonomy" and was responsible for creating a two-worded Latin-based system that classified the world's flora, fauna and minerals, bringing order to the natural world of the 18th century. This system, published in Systema Naturae, is still used today and has been commemorated in the Macleay Museum's current exhibition: Rational Order: Carl von Linné (1707 1778).
On Wednesday, 23 May, 2007 - Linnaeus's actual birthday - author and presenter of ABC Radio National's Science Show Robyn Williams will present a public lecture that focuses on the legacy of Linnaeus's binomial system in Australian museums. He will also discuss the state of taxonomy - the science of studying, recording and describing unknown plants and animals - in museums today and the importance of taxonomy in conservation.
The University of Sydney's Professor Stephen Simpson will then discuss the intricate and social world of Locusta migratoria L - the African migratory locust named by Linnaeus - and recent advances in biological research. The lectures, to be held at the Old Geology Lecture Theatre at the University of Sydney, will be followed by birthday cake and refreshments at the Macleay Museum where visitors will toast the eccentric scientist Carl Linnaeus (who took the name von Linné when he was knighted in 1761.) -University of Sidney
Posted May 14th, 2007 by Anastvatz
