 After his father's death in 1771, Dahl's family fell into financial straits and he had to leave school; prematurely ending his formal education.On 1 May 1776 he passed a preliminary candidate exam for medicine, the equivalent of a bachelor's degree.On a recommendation from Linnaeus, Dahl served as curator at the private natural museum and botanical garden of Clas Alströmer, a Linnaean disciple, at Kristinedal in Gamlestaden, outside Gothenburg.