
Linné on line The Life of Linnaeus
Linnaeus the child
Linnaeus the child
![]() The young Linnaeus: statue by Carl Eldh in the Linnaeus’ Garden. Photo: Hans Odöö |
Carl Linnaeus was born in Råshult, Småland,
in 1707 on May 13th (Old Style) or 23rd according to
our present calendar. At the age of two he moved with
his family to nearby Stenbrohult.
His father Nils was a clergyman but gardening was his hobby so Carl became interested in Nature at an early age. Nevertheless, he was meant to follow in his father's footsteps and take holy orders. However young Linnaeus played truant in order to be out of doors. His teachers lost patience and summoned his father Nils. Later in life Linnaeus writes about this incident:" The
teachers recommended his father to apprentice his son,
as soon as possible, to some craftsman since they were
convinced that he could make nothing of book-learning". |