July 1, 2011
Today’s activities grew out of a previous posting I wrote on July 14, 2010, during my first trip to Sweden (Goteborg). At that time I noticed that Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778) was pictured on the 100 kronor note, and this led to some late-night internet reading about him and his botanical garden in Uppsala. Knowing that John loves to garden, and that I love the history of science, I thought that this would be a trip that both of us would enjoy. Along with Karen and Hedwig, we took a 45 minute train ride to Uppsala, which is northwest of Stockholm. The home and garden of Linnaeus was a short walk from the train station. First we had a guided tour of the garden. Among other facts, we learned that Linnaeus was a physician who treated patients to make a living wage so he could pursue his true love, botany. In 1741 he was appointed Professor of Medicine and Botany at the University of Uppsala, and proceeded to restore a previously existing garden that would serve as an outdoor classroom. At its peak the garden held 3,000 to 4,000 different plants and was quite famous across Europe. We learned that most of the plants had some sort of medical purpose (many of them cured GI illnesses) as there were no pharmacies at the time, and each physician had to be familiar with various plants and their usage. Linnaeus’ favorite plant was a tiny twin flower that was named Linnaeus Borealis. It was very difficult to grow, but he loved it so much he ordered a china set from the Far East with the flower custom painted on it. Linnaeus and his family moved into the house shown in the photo in 1743 and they lived there until 1778. This allowed him to be close to the garden and observe the plants during the day and at night. He was very systematic and methodical (one might say a little OCD!) He said “If you don’t know the names you will lose knowledge of the things.” Over his lifetime he named over 12,000 plants and animals. His binary system of genus and species is used all over the world today. He lectured to many students in his home. In the summers, on Wednesdays and Saturdays he and the students would begin at 7 AM and go until 9PM! During his lifetime he wrote many scientific papers, books, presided over 186 doctoral dissertations! However, to remain mentally alert and productive he was known to take 15 minute power naps. He was eventually knighted by the king and thereafter became known as Carl von Linne. After visiting the Linnaeus sites we went to Uppsala Cathedral, the largest church in Sweden. It is where both Linnaeus, King Gustav Vasa, and Dag Hammarskjold are buried.
Today’s activities grew out of a previous posting I wrote on July 14, 2010, during my first trip to Sweden (Goteborg). At that time I noticed that Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778) was pictured on the 100 kronor note, and this led to some late-night internet reading about him and his botanical garden in Uppsala. Knowing that John loves to garden, and that I love the history of science, I thought that this would be a trip that both of us would enjoy. Along with Karen and Hedwig, we took a 45 minute train ride to Uppsala, which is northwest of Stockholm. The home and garden of Linnaeus was a short walk from the train station. First we had a guided tour of the garden. Among other facts, we learned that Linnaeus was a physician who treated patients to make a living wage so he could pursue his true love, botany. In 1741 he was appointed Professor of Medicine and Botany at the University of Uppsala, and proceeded to restore a previously existing garden that would serve as an outdoor classroom. At its peak the garden held 3,000 to 4,000 different plants and was quite famous across Europe. We learned that most of the plants had some sort of medical purpose (many of them cured GI illnesses) as there were no pharmacies at the time, and each physician had to be familiar with various plants and their usage. Linnaeus’ favorite plant was a tiny twin flower that was named Linnaeus Borealis. It was very difficult to grow, but he loved it so much he ordered a china set from the Far East with the flower custom painted on it. Linnaeus and his family moved into the house shown in the photo in 1743 and they lived there until 1778. This allowed him to be close to the garden and observe the plants during the day and at night. He was very systematic and methodical (one might say a little OCD!) He said “If you don’t know the names you will lose knowledge of the things.” Over his lifetime he named over 12,000 plants and animals. His binary system of genus and species is used all over the world today. He lectured to many students in his home. In the summers, on Wednesdays and Saturdays he and the students would begin at 7 AM and go until 9PM! During his lifetime he wrote many scientific papers, books, presided over 186 doctoral dissertations! However, to remain mentally alert and productive he was known to take 15 minute power naps. He was eventually knighted by the king and thereafter became known as Carl von Linne. After visiting the Linnaeus sites we went to Uppsala Cathedral, the largest church in Sweden. It is where both Linnaeus, King Gustav Vasa, and Dag Hammarskjold are buried.
No comments:
Post a Comment