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Since its founding by Benjamin Franklin in 1743, the American Philosophical Society has quietly sustained its mission of “promoting useful knowledge”—principally through its activities as a learned society on behalf of elected members whose ranks include some of the world’s most eminent figures in the sciences, social sciences, and humanities as well as in the civic, professional, higher educational and cultural communities.  Franklin’s spirit of philanthropy inspires our development program today.

Through the founding tradition of regular “Meetings” of the APS membership, through the Library’s stewardship of historic, internationally renowned collections, and through the awarding of research grants to academics in all disciplines, the Society’s major constituency has traditionally been scholarly and scientific.  As a result, until relatively recently the APS was little known in its own backyard, even though its headquarters are adjacent to Independence Hall and its Library stands by Congressional authority within Independence National Historical Park.

Since the turn of the millennium—and in celebration of the 300th anniversary of Franklin’s birth—the Society has emerged from “best kept secret” status by offering a well-received Library lecture series and establishing a Museum that has attracted more than 500,000 visitors to its exhibitions and public programs.  The Society’s biannual “Meetings,” involving presentations by APS members and other leading scientists and scholars, are now webcast worldwide.  Government and foundation grants have enabled the APS to provide extensive web access to its collections, which include some ten million manuscripts relating to early American history, Native American anthropology, and the history of science.

The Society’s ability to sustain this array of activities is dependent on the generosity of its members and friends through the Fund for the American Philosophical Society.  

We invite you to contribute to the work of the Society by following the link below, or by exploring the links to the left.   

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