Patriot-Improvers: Members of the American Philosophical Society, Volume Two, 1768, Memoirs, America

When Ben Franklin adopted John Bartram's 1739 idea of bringing together the "virtuosi" of the colonies to promote inquiries into "natural secrets, arts & syances," the result was, in 1743, the founding of the Amer. Philosophical Soc. Bell, records the early years of the Society through sketches of its first members, those elected between 1743 & 1769. This is the second of 3 vols. of sketches that represent, "the first systematic attempt to collect & preserve data on the lives of [the Society's first] members" & add much to our knowledge of the history & culture of 18th-cent. America. Contents: Sketches of Members inducted from 8 April-20 Dec. 1768; History of the Medical Soc. 1766-1768 & Sketches of Members; & Portraits of 31 Members.