The Society for the History of Natural History

The Society for the History of Natural History is the only international society devoted to the history of botany, zoology and geology, in the broadest sense, including natural history collections, exploration, art and bibliography. Everyone with an interest in these subjects – professional or amateur – is welcome to join.

On this site you will find information about the Society, its activities, publications and how to join us. You will also find news and up-to-date information as well as links to useful resources and further information.

Current News:

The Society for the History of Natural History [SHNH] has a new website at www.shnh.org.uk.  Please visit us there and catch up on our news.

William T. Stearn Student Essay Prize
The 2009 winner of the William T. Stearn Student Essay Prize is Stephanie Pfennigwerth, a post-graduate student in the School of English, Journalism and European Languages at the University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia, for her essay about “The mighty cassowary”: the discovery and demise of Dromaius ater (Vieillot), the King Island emu. Stephanie Pfennigwerth’s essay will be published in Archives of natural history, volume 37 (2010).
Entries are now invited for the 2010 prize. The submission deadline is 30 June 2010.

The Society is currently having difficulties accessing its emails. Our ISP provider has been taken over and the migration is proving difficult. To contact the officers and members of council could you please direct all your enquiries to the following address:

The Society for the History of Natural History
c/o The Natural History Museum
Cromwell Road
London NW7 SBD

We apologise for this incovenience.