PREFACE 
xi 
of Linne in the “ Nordisk Familjebok,” and his 
accurate and invaluable notes in his “ Carl von 
Linne’s Swedish works ” 1878-80, has more than any 
other person thrown light upon previously dark or 
erroneous statements. 
During the elaboration of these materials it soon 
became clear that I ought not to restrict the account to 
those items only which have a direct bearing upon the 
events of his life. Any true idea of him, his great 
breadth of view, his winning personality and his 
powers of work, can hardly be understood without 
ascertaining the conditions under which he lived, and 
the difficulties of every kind against which he had to 
contend. Seen against such a background, his image 
appears distinct and striking. 
In conclusion it must not be omitted to state that 
the period of Linne’s lifetime which is depicted in the 
first part of this narration, formed the substance of 
eight rectorial programmes, which were published in 
Uppsala from 1893 to 1898 under the title “ Bidrag 
till en lefnadsteckning ofver Carl von Linne ” 
[Contribution to an account of the life of Carl von 
Linne]. For the later portion relating to Linne’s 
professorship there has been no such preliminary 
attempt. 
Th. M. Fries. 
Uppsala, 
September ^ 1903. 
