| Activity | Founded in 1743 by Benjamin Franklin. It counted among its members George Washington, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. In the eighteenth century its interests diverged into the study of nature and natural philosophy as well as scientific and technical investigations. In 1780 the society was granted a charter by the state of Pennsylvania guaranteeing it the right to correspond with 'individuals and institutions of any nation or country whether in peace or war'. The society's first woman member, Princess Dashkova of Russia, was elected in 1789. Other notable members have included Charles Darwin, Louis Pasteur, Albert Einstein and Marie Curie. |