Natural history

Natural history is the study of the history and processes of living things. It history is defined differently, depending on the source. Although most definitions include botany and zoology, others extend the topic to include paleontology and biochemistry, as well as parts of geology and physics. A person interested in natural history is known as a naturalist.

In the Eighteenth and welll into the Nineteenth Century, Natutal History as a term was frequently used to refer to all scientific studies, as opposed to political or ecclesiastical history. As such the subject area would include all aspects of physics, astronomy, archeology, etc. We still see this usage in some institution names, such as the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago.