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Gallery |
1780-1880
| 5 items

Early Nominations and Elections

The process for the Academy’s nominations and elections were set forth in the 1780 Charter of Incorporation, which founded the Academy. There, it details that a candidate for membership had to be proposed by at least one Member, approved by majority vote of the Council, and then elected by vote of ¾ of Members present at the time of the balloting. This procedure has changed much over the years, but what continues today is a similar peer-elected process recognizing elected Members' contributions to the Arts and Sciences in all fields. 

Book of Nominations, 1810-1817
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Book of Nominations, 1801-1817

To ensure the growth of the institution, the Charter stated “that the Fellows of the said Academy may from time to time elect such persons to be Fellows thereof, as they shall judge proper.” Initially nominations were accepted throughout the year, and entered into a Nomination Book. Until 1919, elections would be held incidentally upon the death or resignation of a member. At one of the meetings in May, November, or January, members would review the nominations on file in the book and cast their votes. 

Creator: American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Date: 1801-1817
Format: bound MS
Source: RG 8: Membership, General Records
Letter of notification of election, John Pickering to James Savage, 23 February 1824
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Form letter from Corresponding Secretary John Pickering to James Savage, 1824 February 23

While initially letters would be written individually to the elected person notifying them of their election, eventually form letters were used. These letters, designed to make the election process more formalized, also provided the new Members with information regarding publications, dues, and other Academy obligations.

Creator: Pickering, John, 1737-1805
Date: 1824 February 23
Format: Typescript with annotation
Source: RG 8: Membership, General Records
Acceptance letter from George Washington, 1781
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Letter from George Washington to Eliphalet Pearson, 1791 November 14; Philadelphia

Upon notification of their election, Members were asked to send a letter to the Academy acknowledging acceptance of their election. This tradition continues through today. The Academy has on permanent exhibit at its House a selection of acceptance letters, dating from 1780 to today and includes the full breadth of its membership. 

Creator: Washington, George, 1732-1799
Date: 1791 November 14
Format: MS
Source: RG 1-B-2: Unbound Correspondence, 1781-1936
Academy Membership Certificate, signed by John Adams
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Early Membership Certificate, Signed by John Adams as Academy President and Joseph Willard as Academy Vice President

Elected Members who accepted would be sent a certificate acknowledging their election to the Academy, bearing the signatures of the President and Vice President, and the Academy seal. Members elected in the 1790s and early 1800s would have received certificates signed by John Adams, President from 1791 to 1814, and Joseph Willard, Vice President from 1784 to 1805.

Creator: Adams, John, 1735-1826; Willard, Joseph, 1738-1804
Date: after 1791
Format: Certificate
Source: RG 8: Membership, General Records
Certificate for FHMS, ca. 1870
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Academy Membership Certificate for Foreign Honorary Members [not completed]

International membership has been a part of the Academy since the first election held in 1781. Called “Foreign Honorary Members,” seven international members were elected, six from France and one from Sweden. Like the earlier Membership Certificate, this document for the Foreign Honorary Members could be filled out and sent to a Foreign Honorary Member to signify their election to the Academy.

Author: American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Date: ca. 1870
Format: Certificate
Source: RG 8: Membership, General Records
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