Summary

Carl Linnaeus was born in Stenbrohult, Sweden in 1707 to Nils and Christina Linnaeus. Nils Linnaeus was a reverend, and planned for his son to inherit his parish. Carl Linnaeus attended boarding school from a young age to prepare him for the role of reverend. Carl Linnaeus never did well in school, but always had a strong passion for plants, wildlife, and botany. He was even nicknamed "den lilla botanisten" (the little botanist) by his peers. Carl Linnaeus spent many years at boarding school, hiding his poor grades from his parents. When they found out, they decided to give the parish to Carl's younger brother, Frederick, and sent him to medical school (a far less prestigious and stable profession) in Uppsala, Sweden.

In Uppsala, Carl Linnaeus, cut off by his parents and starving, struggled to pay for tuition, housing, and food. By chance, Linnaeus met...