Patriot-Improvers

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.