Carl Linnaeus is one of the most famous historical figures in the world of science, and particularly in ecology. This is because he made a very important contribution – the development of the binomial nomenclature system of naming all species that is used even today. People know him to be a successful man, but little is known about how he faced financial challenges early in life, despite which he was driven to succeed in science. Carl Linnaeus was born in Sweden on May 23, 1707 and died on January 10, 1778. Linnaeus began studying botany and medicine at Lund University in 1727, but transferred to Uppsala University in the next year. He was not in the best financial situation, so he could not afford to attend more than a few lectures in university. Between the years 1730 and 1732, he funded himself by teaching botany in the garden of the same university he was attending. In 1732, Linnaeus was able to secure himself a position in a research expedition to Lapland through his university. While visiting a friend in Falun, Sweden, he became acquainted with the governor who funded his second research expedition to Lapland. Furthermore, Linnaeus was able to receive an annual stipend that covered medical school expenses in the Netherlands from the royal inspector of the Falun copper mine who was highly impressed by Linnaeus’ botanical and mineralogical abilities. The royal inspector was the father of a close friend of Linnaeus’ known as Claes Solberg, who Linnaeus agreed to take on with him on his trip to the Netherlands and act as his academic mentor. Linnaeus may have been broke, but he was clearly very determined and passionate about science, which drove him to be quite resourceful. His early life serves as a reminder that challenges, whether they be financial or not, will always persist, but if you are motivated and relentless and have the resourcefulness, you can go a long way in the world of science.
By Fabbiha Bushra
Applied Plant Ecology Winter 2020 