Sketch of the Early History of Count Rumford. 29 
Nor did the American government on its part show an entire dis- 
regard for him, when in the year 1800, an important place was 
offered him, which however his engagements in Europe would not 
permit him to accept. 
He ever took a lively interest in the American Academy of Arts 
and Sciences at Boston, “ and in 1796 he established two biennial 
prizes of the value of about sixty guineas each, for the most impor- 
tant discoveries in light and heat; the one to be adjudged by the 
Royal Society of London,* and the other by the American Acad- 
emy of Arts and Sciences.” 
Thompson was knighted by George III, immediately after his se- 
cond arrival in Europe, in 1784, and for several years was known by 
the title of Sir Benjamin Thompson. 'Ten or twelve years afterwards, 
being then resident in Munich, he was created Count of Rumford, 
in reference to the place of his marriage, by the Elector of Bavaria, 
and various honors bestowed upon him, and a life pension of £1200. 
After his return to Europe in 1784, most of his time was spent in 
the promotion of science and its application to the useful arts of life, 
in which, as is well known, he was eminently successful. 
Count Rumford was not a learned man but a very close observer, 
and possessed great mechanical skill, and all his investigations ap- 
pear to have been directed with a view to the discovery of practical 
truths, and directly benefitting mankind. 
Among the imperishable honors that will ever attach to his name, 
is that of having been the first to suggest the plan of the Royal Insti- 
tution of London, and of having selected young Humphrey Davy, 
then only twenty two years of age, to fill the chair of chemistry. 
This institution was founded in the year 1800, and in establishing 
it Count Rumford, in connection with other noble spirits in the sci- 
entific world, spent nearly a year and a half. Through it has been 
introduced to the world in the department of chemistry, in the short 
space of thirty five years, a Davy, a Brande, and a Faraday. 
But it would not be in accordance with my design to pursue the 
history of this distinguished individual further. The last ten years 
of his life were spent at Auteuil, a small village near Paris. ‘Though 
he had received many flattering marks of public favor, he had also 
* This medal was awarded by the Royal Society to 
Prof. Leslie, in 1804. Dr. Wells, in 1816. 
M. Malus, sf 1812. Dr. Brewster, ‘“ 1818. 
SirH. Davy, “ 1814. M. Fresnel, * 1826. 
Edinburgh Encyclopedia, Art. Society. 
Whether the American Academy has ever made any award or not I am not 
informed. 
