SHNH

The Society for the History of Natural History (SHNH) is a friendly international society for people interested in natural history, its history, collections and collecting. It brings together members from different backgrounds and supports the study of how people have observed, recorded, collected and understood the natural world across periods and cultures.

SHNH offers membership, access to its journal, Archives of Natural History, and opportunities to take part in meetings and events. The journal publishes illustrated articles on the history and bibliography of natural history, while the society’s website also features book reviews, newsletters, online resources and publications on subjects including Darwin, Antarctic exploration, naturalists in the field, and the history of zoos and aquariums. Members can attend annual meetings, international gatherings and early-career researcher symposia. The society also recognises scholarship through awards, medals, a book prize and a student essay prize, and provides a small research fund. Through publications, events and its international community, SHNH encourages research and conversation about natural history and the people, collections and practices that have shaped its study.