DATE OF THE FOUNDATION OF THE SOCIETY. 195 



should be considered that of the formation of Frank 

 lin s Junto, in 1727. 



E. P. CHEYNEY. 



The question whether Franklin was in a proper sense 

 the founder of our Society is not in doubt, lie founded 

 the American Philosophical Society of 1743. He founded 

 the Junto of 1727. The development of a junior Junto, 

 if such a thing occurred, was unquestionably due to 

 the impetus of the older Junto ; and the change of the 

 local Junto into a Society which included corresponding 

 members from other colonies was a mere broadening 

 of its purpose. In the sense of the ruling of the Car 

 negie Foundation it is clear that when Franklin founded 

 his original Junto, he became the founder of the Ameri 

 can Society. He is admitted by all to be the founder of 

 the Philosophical Society. Our Society therefore owes 

 its origin to him on both sides. 



CHARLEMAGNE TOWER, 

 JAMES T. MITCHELL, 

 MAYER SULZBERGER, 

 SAMUEL DICKSOX, 

 HAMPTON L. CARSON, 

 E. P. CHEYNEY, 

 FRANCIS B. GUMMERE, 

 W. W. KEEN, 

 I. MINIS HAYS. 



