Our history
Over the centuries, thousands of researchers, students and ordinary visitors have studied and learned from the treasures, either on display or in storage, that make up the Evolutionsmuseets collections. Unique specimens have provided new insights into, among other things, the world's biodiversity, the relationships and distribution of organisms and even environmental changes. Today, the collections comprise more than 5 million specimens and are an important research infrastructure for researchers all over the world as well as a testament to Uppsala University’s long tradition in the natural sciences.
1477
Uppsala University is established as the first Nordic university
Carl Linnaeus, Anders Celsius and Olof Rudbeck Sr. are a few examples of prominent scientists in Uppsala University’s history
1743
Museum Academicum founded by Carl Linnaeus
The first natural history collection of Uppsala University
1750
The university’s first mineral cabinet is formed
With the installation of Wallerius at the Chair of Chemistry, the Academy purchased a mineral collection with over 4000 specimens from mining counsellor Svab.
1785
Carl Peter Thunberg, a disciple of Linnaeus, conducted extensive botanical and zoological expeditions, most notably in Japan
Donation of the Thunberg Collection
1803
Royal collections donated by Gustav IV Adolf
The collections of Queen Lovisa Ulrika and King Adolf Fredrik
1815
Royal collections donated by Karl XIII
Thunberg convinces the king to purchase more specimens, further enriching the holdings
1884
Donation of the Regnell Botanical Collections
Important 19th century specimens from South America
1918
Donation of the Chinese Fossil Collection
The largest Chinese palaeontology collection outside of China, including dinosaurs and important fossils of the Peking Man
1999
Collections move to Evolutionsmuseet
Transforming into a modern hub for international research, outreach, and education
2010
The Linnaean mineral model collection returns home
These handcrafted crystal models, meticulously fashioned from wood by Anders Tidström for Linnaeus, exemplify the early scientific attempts to visualise crystallography
2025
Inspired by Vice-Chancellor Anders Hagfeldt’s Boundless Knowledge Jubilee Campaign, the museum launches an innovative fundraising campaign with a goal to raise 100 million SEK focused on preserving and securing Linnaeus’ legacy for future generations.
2027
Uppsala University to Celebrate 550 years!
Your generous support for Biodiversity Beyond Linnaeus helps us in several key ways: it allows us to hire expert staff at Evolutionsmuseet to carry out high-priority projects, attract top taxonomists through a visiting fund, and support expeditions. Together, these efforts help us continue our vital work to protect biodiversity for future generations.