The American Philosophical Society was founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1743 and is the oldest learned society in America. Established for the "promotion of useful knowledge among the British plantations in America," its membership has included the leading scientists, scholars, public servants and statesmen of this country as well as abroad. Membership is limited to 500 American members and 100 international. Also in that year, Franklin proposed the Academy of Phildelphia, which opened in 1751. The Academy was organized into Latin, English, and Mathematical departments, with the Latin department developing into the University of Pennsylvania.
