Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Notes on the founding of the Notes on the founding of the Virginia Society for the Promotion of Useful Knowledge, Manuscript #MS 1931.5, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

Acquisition Information

Purchase, 1931.

Historical Information

Founded in May, 1773, the Society continued to meet annually in Williamsburg for several years after the Revolution. Intended as an exchange of ideas and philosophies, prominent members included John Page, of "Rosewell", George Wythe, and James Madison, professor and later president of the College of William and Mary.

Scope and Content

Notes on the founding of the Virginia Society for the Promotion of Useful Knowledge. In emulation of English and Continental philosophical societies, the Virginia organization hoped to spur scientific inquiry and advances, especially in those branches of science which promoted industry, commerce, and the arts.

Arrangement

N/A

Index Terms

Persons:

• Bland, Theodorick, b. 1708.|
• Cam, Dabney.
• Muster, George.
• Walker, John.
• Burwell, Nathaniel,|d1750-1814.
• McClurg, James.
• Page, John, 1744-1808.
• Page, Mann,1749-1781.

Corporate Names:

• Virginian Society for the Promotion of Useful Knowledge

Subjects:

• Learned institutions and societies - Virginia - Williamsburg.