A Sense of Nature The ‘sensory turn’ in a range of humanities and social sciences disciplines has led to innovative research exploring how sensory experiences shape cultural and historical narratives. Within natural history, the management of the senses has been instrumental in shaping our knowledge of and interactions with the natural world. The roles of […]
Read more
Guidelines Prize winners are chosen by a panel of 3 judges (all members of the Society). Competition opens on 01 February 2025. All entries must be received by the Secretary by 31 July 2025. Essays should not have been previously published, and must not be under consideration at another journal. Essays should not have been […]
Read more
A Sense of Nature This two-day international meeting will explore the intersections of the senses – including sight (vision), sound (hearing), smell (olfaction), taste (gustation) and touch (tactile perception) – with the history of natural history. We invite scholars, researchers and practitioners to submit papers that delve into the sensory dimensions and their roles, and […]
Read more
SHNH Early Career Researcher Symposium showcasing research into Natural History. Thursday 20 February 2025 online 10.55-17.15 GMT The Society for the History of Natural History is a diverse community of people united by an active interest in the study of natural history through time, believing that a greater awareness of how nature has been considered, […]
Read more The Society for the History of Natural History is a diverse community of people united by an active interest in the study of natural history through time, believing that a greater awareness of how nature has been considered, documented, valued and exploited by societies and individuals worldwide leads to a deeper understanding and celebration of nature. […]
Read more
SHNH Founders’ Medal The Society is very pleased to announce that our prestigious Founders’ Medal will this year be awarded to Professor Kristin Johnson, Professor and Director of Science, Technology, Health and Society at the University of Puget Sound, Washington, USA. Kristin Johnson has contributed enormously to the history of natural history and the naturalist […]
Read more
Day One 9:15 Arrival and Registration 9:30 Panel 1 Colour charts for naturalists – A brief history Leslie K. Overstreet, Smithsonian Libraries and Archives Recording colour in horticulture: The origin and development of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Colour Chart John David, RHS Garden Wisley “The tints of a geological map speak to the mind […]
Read more
The competition is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students worldwide in full- or part-time education, and to postdoctoral students within two years of the award of their doctorate. It is not limited to members of SHNH. The winner will receive £300 and the winning essay will normally be published in the Society’s journal Archives of […]
Read more
We welcome papers that explore (but are not restricted to) the following topics and their relation to the role of colour in natural history: The use of colour in systems of classification Taxonomies of colour Producing and preserving colour Production of natural history illustrations The contributions of artists and illustrators Relationships between naturalists and natural […]
Read more
Christine E. Jackson, A Newsworthy Naturalist: The Life of William Yarrell John Beaufoy Publishing Ltd. 2021. William Yarrell (1784–1856), was an influential naturalist at a time when natural history was becoming an important factor in 19th century society. He wrote two important books: A History of British Fishes and A History of British Birds, still being quoted as […]
Read more