Download or read book Patriot-improvers: 1767-1768 written by Whitfield J. Bell (Jr.) and published by American Philosophical Society Press. This book was released on 1997 with total page 704 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: When Ben Franklin adopted John Bartram's 1739 idea of bringing together the "virtuosi" of the colonies to promote inquiries into "natural secrets, arts and syances," the result was, in 1743, the founding of the Amer. Philosophical Soc. Whitfield J. Bell, Jr. records the early years of the Society through sketches of its first members, those elected between 1743 and 1769. This is the third of 3 vols. of sketches that represent, "the first systematic attempt to collect and preserve data on the lives of [the Society's first] members" and add much to our knowledge of the history and culture of 18th-cent. America. Contents: History of the Society; Sketches of Members inducted from Nov. 1767-1768; Reflections and Observations; Consolidated Index to volumes 1, 2, and 3.