PREFACE 
Sciences, especially those elected in recent years, have 
frequently expressed the wish to become acquainted 
with its early history, particularly that of the formative period of 
the organization, and also with the work it has done in behalf of 
the Government. As the information on these subjects which can 
be gathered from the early publications of the Academy is neither 
in connected form nor very extensive, it was decided in 1909 to 
have prepared for publication, in connection with the semi-cen- 
tennial celebration of the Academy, a volume containing as com- 
plete an historical summary as could be brought together in the 
time available. A committee was appointed to take charge of the 
matter, and in the summer of rgro the services of Dr. Frederick 
W. True were secured as editor. 
Besides consulting the early records of the Academy, it was 
necessary to seek information from outside sources. The work of 
preparing this history, which has been arduous, is highly appreci- 
ated by the members of the committee in charge, who have 
realized the varied and baffling nature of the undertaking and 
desire to express their approval of its accomplishment. It is be- 
lieved that the information assembled in this volume will afford 
a good insight into the nature of the activities of the Academy. 
The bibliographical references which it contains will enable 
those who desire more detailed knowledge to find it in the original 
documents. 
As the Academy has established a series of publications known 
as the Biographical Memoirs, containing records of the lives and 
works of its members, it has not been thought necessary to attempt 
the preparation of new biographical sketches, but the volume con- 
tains brief notices of the lives of the incorporators, or original 
M “see of the members of the National Academy of 
Vii 
