Definition
Carl von Linné is the Swedish name of Carl Linnaeus, the famous botanist and zoologist. The "von" indicates nobility, as he was later ennobled for his scientific achievements. He is best known for his work in taxonomy and binomial nomenclature. The use of "von" reflected his elevated social status. It was an honor bestowed upon him for his contributions to science. Think of it like earning a special title in a video game for reaching a high level.