- Home
- About Us
The Society's logo (1986- 1997) was originally designed for its jubilee year in 1986. It incorporates a wood cut from the great medieval encyclopaedia of natural history "Ortus sanitas" (1491) published in Mainz by Jacob Meydenbach (see Newsletter no 26: 10 (1985).
SHNH Patron
Photo: Sir David Attenborough OM CH FRS. ©Elaine Shaughnessy
About Us
The Society was founded in 1936 by a small group of scientists, librarians and bibliographers centred on the British Museum (Natural History) in London. The Society is still closely associated with the Museum, now The Natural History Museum, which contains the national collections of natural history specimens and has a strong tradition in the historical study of these collections.
Since its modest beginnings, the Society has grown in membership and international standing. It is known for its friendliness and its meetings combine intellectual excellence with opportunities for informal exchange of ideas. It is a focal point for the history of all aspects of natural history. This includes art, literature, biography and bibliography as well as investigative historical studies.
A biographical directory of the Society's members is now being compiled: click here for more information.
Although it maintains strong links with The Natural History Museum, London, the Society also has a thriving international membership. Representatives in Australasia, Europe, and North America organise local meetings and an international meeting is held every other year.
The Society produces two regular publications; the Archives of natural history, a refereed journal, and a more informal Newsletter.
The Society’s affairs are conducted by a Council of members who meet regularly throughout the year. Individuals on Council take responsibility for the various functions that the Society performs.
You can contact the Society by post or email.
SHNH Patron
Sir David Frederick Attenborough OM CH FRS was unanimously elected as the first Patron of the Society for the History of Natural History at the Annual General Meeting held in Torquay on 15 May 2010.
In speaking of his new role Sir David wrote, "The subject is one that greatly interests me and I hope very much that I shall be able to attend some of the Society's meetings. Thank you for suggesting such a delightful honour."
A broadcaster and naturalist, his is the respected face and voice of natural history that has endured for more than 50 years. He is best known for writing and presenting the nine “Life” series, in conjunction with the BBC Natural History Unit, which collectively form a comprehensive survey of all life on the planet. He is a former senior manager at the BBC, having served as Controller of BBC Two and Director of Programming for BBC Television in the 1960s and 1970s.
Sir David's first job, after Cambridge University and two years in the Royal Navy, was at the London publishing house Hodder & Stoughton. In 1952 he joined the BBC as a trainee producer and it was while working on the “Zoo quest” series (1954–1964) that he had his first opportunity to undertake expeditions to remote parts of the globe to capture intimate footage of wildlife in its natural habitat.
SHNH President, Professor Geoff Moore, in speaking of the appointment said, "Sir David’s knowledge of the natural world is profound. We look forwards with great enthusiasm to his active involvement in the Society’s affairs as we seek to further our aims 'to promote the historical and bibliographical study of the growth of all branches of natural history in all periods and cultures'."
Photo: Sir David Attenborough OM CH FRS. © Elaine Shaughnessy