Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
01.C.59 |
Object Name |
Seal |
Title |
Seal of the Natural History Society of Edinburgh |
Artist |
Unknown |
Date |
1786 |
Description |
Oval metal box with green ribbon containing red wax seal of the Natural History Society of Edinburgh. Attached label reads: "Seal for certificate issued to Caspar Wistar by Natural history society of Edinburgh, May 4, 1786. Certificate with MISC. MS. COLLECTION oversize." |
Label |
This seal is from a certificate, possibly a certificate of presidency, that the Edinburgh Natural History Society gave to Caspar Wistar. A leading physician, teacher, and APS member, Wistar became president of the APS in 1815, succeeding Thomas Jefferson. Earlier in life, after receiving his bachelor's degree in medicine in 1779 from the University of the State of Pennsylvania (which later merged with the College of Philadelphia to form the University of Pennsylvania), Wistar traveled abroad to pursue further training. While at Edinburgh University in Scotland, Wistar was elected president of both the Royal Medical Society of Edinburgh and the Edinburgh Natural History Society. Formed in 1782, the Edinburgh Natural History Society promoted the study of the natural world. Its members included many medical students from Edinburgh University. |
Material |
Metal and wax |
Dimensions |
W-1.875 L-2.5 D-0.375 inches |
Credit line |
American Philosophical Society |
Search Terms |
18th century eighteenth century science |