A Guide to the Notes of the Virginian Society for the Promotion of Useful Knowledge, ca. 1772 Notes, Virginian Society for the Promotion of Useful Knowledge
MS 1931.5
A Collection in the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation`s John D.
Rockefeller, Jr. Library Manuscript Number MS 1931.5
John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library Colonial Williamsburg Foundation P.O. Box 1776 Williamsburg, Virginia 23187 USA Phone: (757) 565-8520 Fax: (757) 565-8528 Email: speccoll@cwf.org URL: http://www.history.org
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.
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.
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.