130 The Life and Writings of 



^ Transylvania University conferred on him the degree of 

 Master of Arts, July 10, 1822.* He had been elected to 



&amp;gt; membership in the Philadelphia Academy of Sciences 

 in February, 1816. His membership in the New York 



&amp;gt; Lyceum of Natural History dated from the time of 

 organization, he having been one of its founders. 



Notwithstanding the fact that formerly, more than 

 now, it was customary to bestow honors of this sort 

 on learned men without the very close scrutiny which 

 now obtains, it must be clear that the early scientific 

 work and acquaintance of Rafinesque had gained for 

 him substantial reputation. These societies all would 

 not have given him an election or other distinction 

 without at least some examination into his claims. 

 That they gave the honors is some evidence of deserv 

 ing merit. 



iSjC. It has been erroneously stated that this medal was sold for old gold 

 to the United States Mint, at Philadelphia. This inaccurate statement may 

 be based upon the fact that at the auction sale, or private sale, of Rafinesque s 

 effects the medal was &quot;valued at the United States Mint&quot;, but was not sold 

 to it. From the will of Rafinesque it will be seen that he highly prized it, 

 and had hoped it would remain in possession of the family Rafinesque. 



*This fact is gleaned from the Kentucky Reporter, of July 15, 1822. This 

 was a newspaper published at Lexington, files of which were examined 

 through the courtesy of Colonel Reuben T. Durrett, of Louisville. It may 

 be interesting to know that several other persons received this degree at 

 the same time, to wit: Robert Jefferson Breckiuridge, a graduate of Union 

 College; William Gibbs Hunt, a graduate of Harvard University; John 

 Thomas Mason, a graduate of William and Mary College; Robert R. Barr, 

 James G. Trotten, and John M. McCalla, alumni of Transylvania University. 



