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William C. Bullitt (1856-1914), A.B. 1876, President of the Franklin Scientific Society in 1876
University Archives and Records Center
University of Pennsylvania
Guide to the
Franklin Scientific Society of the
University of Pennsylvania
Records, 1876 - 1882
UPS 501
0.25 Cubic ft.
Prepared by J.M. Duffin
November 2005
Inventory available as a PDF file (71 kb, 2 pages)
View entire guide as a PDF file (183 kb, 6 pages)
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Franklin Scientific Society minutes, January 7, 1876
Access is granted in accordance with the Protocols for the University Archives and Records Center.
PROVENANCE
The collection was transferred from the University Library to the University Archives and Records Center in 1956 as part of the records of the Zelosophic Society of the University of Pennsylvania.
ARRANGEMENT
The Franklin Scientific Society records are in one series: Minutes, 1876 - 1882.
HISTORICAL NOTE
The Franklin Scientific Society was formed in fall of 1874 to promote
discussions and lectures on scientific topics and to collect literature
and specimens to advance the knowledge of science for the University
of Pennsylvania student body. The Society came into existence just as
two other related student organizations, the Zelosophic Society of the
University of Pennsylvania (founded in 1829) and the Mineralogical Society
(founded in 1872) were fading from the student scene. It was the eventual
closing of the Zelosophic Society in 1875 that gave the Franklin Scientific
Society a boost in its membership and a regular meeting place. The Society
supported a popular lecture series each academic year which brought
in speakers from the Philadelphia area and other universities to present
lectures on a variety of scientific topics. The lectures were open to
the public and well attended. There were reports of some of the women's
boarding schools sending students to the lectures.
Like all student organizations that are dependant upon training a fresh group of students to continue its existence, the Franklin Scientific Society eventually succumbed to a lack of interest to keep the organization going. This occurred in the fall of 1882 where there were no students willing to begin another season of meetings, debates and public lectures. In October 1882, the dean of the college posted a notice on the Society's rooms in College Hall that the "rooms are closed by order of the Dean." This action, however, did not kill the student interests in scientific clubs but led to the formation of a new club called the Scientific Society of the University of Pennsylvania in December of 1882.
SCOPE AND CONTENT
The records of the Franklin Scientific Society consist of a minute book which details the election of officers, the topics of student discussions and debates, and the arrangements made for public meetings as well as additions to its collections of books and specimens.
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