The Benjamin Franklin Medal presented by the
American Philosophical Society
The American Philosophical Society (APS), founded in 1743 in Philadelphia, is a scholarly organization that promotes knowledge in the sciences and humanities through research, professional meetings, publications, library resources, and communit ...
located in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Sinc ...
, also called Benjamin Franklin Bicentennial Medal, is awarded since 1906. The originally called "Philosophical Society" was founded in 1743 by
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin ( April 17, 1790) was an American polymath who was active as a writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, printer, publisher, and political philosopher. Encyclopædia Britannica, Wood, 2021 Among the leading inte ...
. The award was created to remember the 200th anniversary of the birthday of Franklin.
[ Look for the entry "398. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN BICENTENNIAL MEDAL, 1906".] The
Museum of Fine Arts in Boston has this medal in its collection.
The medal was created by the brothers
Augustus
Caesar Augustus (born Gaius Octavius; 23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14), also known as Octavian, was the first Roman emperor; he reigned from 27 BC until his death in AD 14. He is known for being the founder of the Roman Pr ...
and
Louis St. Gaudens.
Recipients
Recipients received this award under different names for different reasons:
* The first medal was given to the
Republic of France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan area e ...
in 1906.
* 1906:
Cleveland Abbe
Cleveland Abbe (December 3, 1838 – October 28, 1916) was an American meteorologist and advocate of time zones.
While director of the Cincinnati Observatory in Cincinnati, Ohio, he developed a system of telegraphic weather reports, daily w ...
, meteorologist
* 1921: ''Franklin Medal'' to
Marie Curie
Marie Salomea Skłodowska–Curie ( , , ; born Maria Salomea Skłodowska, ; 7 November 1867 – 4 July 1934) was a Polish and naturalized-French physicist and chemist who conducted pioneering research on radioactivity. She was the first ...
.
Benjamin Franklin Medal
Awarded for notable services to the American Philosophical Society, between 1937 and 1983.
Benjamin Franklin Medal for Distinguished Achievement in the Humanities or Sciences
Awarded between 1985 and 1991.
Benjamin Franklin Medal for Distinguished Achievement in the Sciences
Awarded since 1993.
Benjamin Franklin Medal for Distinguished Public Service
Awarded since 1987.
References
Awards established in 1906
American science and technology awards
Works about Benjamin Franklin
1906 establishments in Pennsylvania
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