Excerpt from The Chicago Academy of Sciences, Vol. 1: Historical Sketch of the Academy The Chicago Academy of Sciences is believed to have the honor of being organized at an earlier date than any other scholarly body now existing in Chicago. In the year 1856 a small circle of enthusiastic gentlemen united in a society for the promotion of scientific investigation, and adopted the name, The Chicago Academy of Natural Sciences. These, the original members of the Academy, were: James V . Z. Blaney, Nathan S. Davis, Sr., James W. Freer, C. A. Helmuth, Hosmer A. Johnson, Edmund Andrews, Henry Parker, J. Young Scammon, Franklin Scammon, Richard K. Swift, Joseph D. Webster, Eliphalet W. Blatchford and Henry W.Zimmerman. To this list many other names were soon added, and the new society grew and developed rapidly. A definite organization was completed at a meeting held January 13, 1857, in the office of Dr. Edmund Andrews, and the following officers were elected: President, Professor James V. Z. Blaney. Vice-presidents, Dr. Nathan S. Davis, Sr., Captain Joseph D. Webster. Secretary, Dr. Hosmer A. Johnson. Recording secretary, Dr. Henry Parker. Treasurer, Col. R. K. Swift. Curator and librarian, Dr. Edmund Andrews. The need of funds soon became apparent, and subscriptions to the extent of about $1,500 were readily obtained. A room was rented in a building located at the southeast corner of Clark and Lake streets, a few cases were procured, and the foundation of a museum was laid. This favorable beginning, however, was of short duration, for the financial crisis of 1857 and 1858 left but few of the subscriptions in a condition for collection. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

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Excerpt from Act of Incorporation, Constitution, by-Laws, and Lists of Officers and Members of the Chicago Academy of Sciences, 1865: With a Historical Sketch of the Association, and Reports on the Museum and Library Whereas, An Association has heretofore been formed in the City of Chicago, called The Chicago Academy of Sciences, the object of which is the increase and diffusion of scientific knowledge, by a museum, a library, by the read ing and publication of original papers, and by such other suitable methods as shall from time to time be adopted, Now therefore, in order to encourage and promote the above-declared objects of the said Association. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.