American Academy of Arts and Sciences

The American Academy of Arts and Sciences was founded in 1780 during the War of Independence in Cambridge (Massachusetts ), among others, John Adams, James Bowdoin and John Hancock to bring together a spiritual elite of educated members of the government and economic variables in the interest of further development of the young republic. The company has awarded since 1839 working in the U.S. scientists the Rumford Prize for achievements in the field of thermodynamics and optics.

" ... To cultivate every art and science Which june tend to advance the interest, honor, dignity, and happiness of a free, independent, and virtuous people. " ( The Charter ).

Today, the Academy has two functions:

• Select individuals of outstanding talent from science, education, business and the arts and
• Perform a varied program of projects and studies for the benefit of mankind.

Recent projects of the Academy focused on the need for education and research, and on the welfare of different groups of people within the United States.