When Benjamin Franklin adopted John Bartram's 1739 idea of bringing together the "virtuosi" of the colonies to promote inquiries into "natural secrets, arts and syances," the result was, in 1743, the founding of the American Philosophical Society. Bell records the early years of the Society through sketches of its first members, those elected between 1743 and 1769. This volume includes biographies of some of the Society's best known members such as Franklin, David Rittenhouse, John Bartram, Benjamin Rush, John Dickinson, Thomas Hopkinson and many lesser known merchants, artisans, farmers, physicians, lawyers and clergymen with familiar surnames such as Biddle, Colden, and Morris. Illustrations.

When Ben Franklin adopted John Bartram's 1739 idea of bringing together the "virtuosi" of the colonies to promote inquiries into "natural secrets, arts and syances," the result was, in 1743, the founding of the Amer. Philosophical Soc. Whitfield J. Bell, Jr. records the early years of the Society through sketches of its first members, those elected between 1743 and 1769. This is the third of 3 vols. of sketches that represent, "the first systematic attempt to collect and preserve data on the lives of [the Society's first] members" and add much to our knowledge of the history and culture of 18th-cent. America. Contents: History of the Society; Sketches of Members inducted from Nov. 1767-1768; Reflections and Observations; Consolidated Index to volumes 1, 2, and 3.

This volume, organized by society and then chronologically by date of induction, incorporates extensive biographical sketches of members of the American Society for Propagating Useful Knowledge and the Medical Society in 1768. The narrative biographies cover each person's early life, adult works, and historical relevance. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR