The Society for the History of Natural History, founded in 1936, is an international society whose members are interested in the historical and bibliographical study of all branches of natural history, for all periods and cultures. This includes: botany, general biology, geology, palaeontology and zoology; the lives of past naturalists, their publications, correspondence and collections; the institutions and societies to which they belonged; and bibliographic studies of rare books, manuscripts and illustrative materials. Membership is open to anyone interested in the objectives of the Society.

The principal benefit of membership is receipt of the international journal Archives of natural history (published for the Society by Edinburgh University Press). A Newsletter is issued three times a year.  The Society also organizes evening meetings and conferences, international meetings, and visits to places of interest to Society members.   International activities are promoted by Society Representatives.

President, Officers and Council

The Society is governed by a Council of 13 Members, including five Honorary Officers: President, Treasurer,  Secretary, Editor and Meetings Secretary.

The current President is Professor P. Geoffrey Moore. Professor Moore is Emeritus Professor of Marine Biology in the University of London.  Prior to his retirement he was Acting Director of the University Marine Biological Station Millport in Scotland.  A past Council member of The Linnean Society of London (2009-2011), his interests lie in systematics (amphipod crustaceans), marine ecology and the history of natural history.

The governance of The Society for the History of Natural History is set out in the Society's Rules.

    * C. D. Sherborn 1936-1942
    * J. Ramsbottom 1943-1972
    * C. K. Swann 1972-1975
    * R. G. C. Desmond 1975-1978
    * D. E. Allen 1978-1981
    * H. W. Ball 1981-1984
    * Sir Eric Smith 1984-1987
    * A. C. Wheeler 1987-1990
    * R. E. R. Banks 1990-1993
    * D. J. Mabberley 1993-1996
    * W. D. I. Rolfe 1996-1999
    * J. C. Thackray-1999
    * J. Edwards 2000-2003
    * J. Cain 2003-2006
    * A. M. Lucas 2006-2009