6 The Academy of Natural Sciences 



separated it was decided to invite such friends as might be favorable 

 to the formation of ,a society to meet at Speakman's house the fol- 

 lowing Saturday night. 



In accordance with this agreement Doctors Gerard Troost and 

 Camillus Macmahon Mann, with Jacob Gilliams, John Shinn, Jr., 

 and Nicholas S. Parmentier, met at the house of Mr. Speakman, on 

 the northwest corner of Market and Second Streets, on Saturday 

 evening, January 25, 1812. Mr. Speakman acted as chairman, and 

 Dr. Mann as secretary. ^ The minutes are described as those of "a 

 meeting of gentlemen, friends oL science and of rational disposure 

 of leisure moments," and it was agreed that the exclusive object 

 of the society should be the cultivation of the natural sciences. 



This was the humble origin of The Academy of Natural 

 Sciences of Philadelphia. Although there is abundant evidence in 

 the records and in tradition that the founders took themselves 

 seriously and were conscious of the dignity of their undertaking, it 

 is scarcely conceivable that they could have anticipated the future 

 development of their society into one of the most active and 

 influential scientific associations of the world. 



In order not to be a burden on Mr. Speakman's hospitality, the 

 next two or three meetings were held at a public house on Market, 

 or High Street, near the corner of Franklin Place, known as Mercer's 

 Cake Shop. The title, Academy of Natural Sciences, was employed 

 for the first time in the minutes of March 21, 1812, and was sug- 

 gested opportunely by Dr. Samuel Jackson, of the University of 

 Pennsylvania. He had not joined the society because, it is said, he 

 feared that in the estimation of the public all its members would be 

 considered, however unjustly, as lacking in proper respect for 

 religion, a supposition which might be detrimental to a physician at 

 the outset of his career. It was decided that the origin of the 

 Academy should date from that session and that in subsequent years 

 the anniversary should be observed on that day. 



At this meeting Thomas Say was chosen a member, and it was 

 determined that, although he had not attended the initial meetings, 

 his name should be enrolled as one of the founders, who are, there- 

 fore, recorded as being John Speakman, 1 Jacob Gilliams, 1 John 

 Shinn, Jr., Nicholas Parmentier, Dr. Gerard Troost, 1 Dr. Camillus 

 Macmahon Mann and Thomas Say. 1 It was John Speakman and 



i Portraits of these are hung in the library. 



