The Zeeuwsch Genootschap and the Formation of its Correspondence Network
scholars, including Linnaeus, and that he will forward any information that is
received from them to the ZGW.86 Boddaert's role in recruiting Linnaeus can be
seen through his multiple letters to Linnaeus and the ZGW on the matter. In a
letter addressed by Boddaert to the ZGW and dated on October 2, 1771, he states
that he is excited that the ZGW has sent a diploma to Linnaeus and that Linnaeus
will, in all likeliness, not refuse the honour. Furthermore, Boddaert asserts that it
is honourable for the society to be associated with such a grand name.87 Simul
taneously, Boddaert sends a letter to Linnaeus on how they can now be consid
ered 'colleagues' because of his membership of the ZGW.88 Boddaert might have
played a central role in establishing a connection with Linnaeus, but it was Justus
Tjeenk who sent the diploma and to whom Linnaeus responds, thanking him for
the proposal and that he would be honoured to become a member of the ZGW.89
The importance of a vast network was recognised by the ZGW and its mem
bers, and active steps were undertaken by most of them to enlarge the ZGW's net
work with reputable scholars. The aim of such a network was briefly summarised
in a letter by Boddaert to the ZGW, dated on October 29, 1769. As he points out
in his letter, the incorporation of 'capable gentlemen' in the ZGW will not only
allow him to increase through correspondence his 'knowledge of science, but it
will also benefit the ZGW and Zeeland as a whole.90 Between the years 1766-1771,
the ZGW added 55 members and 19 directors who lived outside of Zeeland. They
made up 52.6% of the total network.91 These findings then lead to another ques
tion: was the ZGW able to utilise its network for the creation of knowledge?
The Network and the Gathering of Information
Peter Burke's four stages of the creation of knowledge - gathering, analysing,
disseminating and employing - are used to analyse the ZGW's correspondence,
starting with the gathering phase. The ZGW's aim was the advancement of the
arts and sciences. 'Arts and Sciences' provide a broad topic range, which in prac-
11O
86 ZA, Arch. KZGW, inv. nr. 58, scan 113.
87 ZA, Arch. KZGW, inv. nr. 60, scan 91.
88 Alvin, Platform for digital collections and digitized cultural heritage, Letter October-Decem
ber? 1771, Utrecht to Carl Linnaeus, Uppsala. https://bit.ly/2Y90NST (accessed December 1,
2019).
89 Alvin, Letter 26 October 1771, Uppsala to Juste Tjeenk, Vlissingen. https://bit.ly/2Laqmhe
(accessed December 1, 2019).
90 ZA, Arch. KZGW, inv. nr. 58, scan 219.
91 ZA, Arch. KZGW, inv. nr. 121, scan 3-6; ZA, Arch. KZGW, inv. nr. 119, scan 4-6.
