Carl Linnaeus's household laid the foundation for his scientific work

Without a wife and a well-functioning household, Carl Linnaeus would have had difficulty becoming the prominent scientist that he was. Mastering social codes, like clothing and hosting guests for dinners, was crucial for having a career in the 18th century. These are the conclusions of a recently defended thesis at Uppsala University.

"I have mapped the central and rarely studied conditions that made possible Linnaeus's scientific work. His immediate household consisted of family and servants. When he describes his success, he mentions them," says Annika Windahl Ponten, the author of the dissertation.

During the 18th century, science, and thereby its practitioners, gained an increasingly prominent role in society. Professors had a relatively high status in class society. It was important to show what social class one belonged to. As such, Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778) was very much active in creating the public image of himself. He was careful with how he was portrayed, how his household was structured and what objects he was surrounded by.

Linnaeus's career largely took place in his home setting where there was a wife, children, maids and servants, flowery calico blankets and yellow chairs. Velvet overcoats hung in the closet and portraits hung on the walls. China with Linnaeus flowers was ordered from China, not once but twice.

The household was an important part of the outward appearance of Carl Linnaeus and was established when he and his wife Sara Elisabeth moved into the newly renovated professor home in Uppsala in 1743. Eventually, the house at Hammarby outside of town was purchased.

The couple had seven children, of which five survived to adulthood. The household also included several maids and servants. Students also lived with the family for both shorter and longer periods.

Carl Linnaeus also held private lectures in his home. A steady stream of colleagues and distinguished guests, even royalty, came and went. The home became an extension of the university and was equipped and furnished to allow for every possible function while also advertising that an academic person of rank lived here.

All practical aspects of the household were Sara Elisabeth's responsibility. She assigned the work, made sure everything was in order and that the visitors were taken care of appropriately. Large events were common. That everything worked smoothly was a prerequisite for Carl Linnaeus being able to focus on his scientific endeavours and network with the right people.

In her survey of how the Linnaeus household was organised, Annika Windahl Pontén has read through a large amount of source material, including texts written by Linnaeus, correspondence, travel diaries from Linnaeus's travels through Sweden's provinces, receipts, estate inventories, population registries and registries of furniture, clothing and objects belonging to the Linnaeus family.

"An important purpose with my dissertation has been to place Linnaeus in his contemporary context. There have been many biographical studies of him where he is often presented as a genius and ahead of his time. He should neither be exaggerated nor minimised. What makes Linnaeus both fascinating and interesting becomes no less interesting if you place him in an 18th century context, quite the opposite," says Annika Windahl Ponten.