Patriot-Improvers

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 (APS). In this "first systematic attempt to collect & preserve data on the lives of [the Society's first] members," Bell records the early years of the Society through sketches of its first members, those elected between 1743 and 1769. Together, this set adds much to our knowledge of the history and culture of 18th century American history. The second of three volumes, it includes biographies and 31 portraits of APS members inducted from 8 April to 20 December 1768 and history of the Medical Society from 1766-1768 with sketches of members.