Philosophical Society of Washington

The Philosophical Society of Washington
FormationMarch 13, 1871; 153 years ago (1871-03-13)
FounderJoseph Henry
Location
President
Larry Millstein
Websitepswscience.org
Joseph Henry, the society's first president

Founded in 1871, the Philosophical Society of Washington is the oldest scientific society in Washington, D.C. It continues today as PSW Science.

Since 1887, the Society has met regularly in the assembly hall of the Cosmos Club. In the Club's present location since 1951, the assembly hall is now called the John Wesley Powell auditorium. Meetings are roughly every other Friday, except in the summer. Meetings are free and open to the public. A lecture is given by a scientist at each meeting.

In 1931, the Society established the ongoing Joseph Henry Lecture series.[1] The lectures present speakers at who have reached the pinnacles of their respective fields, and in recent years have included Nobel laureates Baruch Blumberg, William D. Phillips, John C. Mather, and Craig Mello.[2]

  1. ^ Curtis, H. L.; Judson, L. V. (1931-08-14). "The Joseph Henry Lectureship of the Philosophical Society of Washington". Science. 74 (1911): 168. doi:10.1126/science.74.1911.168. ISSN 0036-8075.
  2. ^ "Joseph Henry Lecture Archives". PSW Science. Retrieved 2021-04-16.