The Benjamin Franklin Medal presented by the American Philosophical Society

American Philosophical Society

The American Philosophical Society, founded in 1743, and located in Philadelphia, Pa., is an eminent scholarly organization of international reputation, that promotes useful knowledge in the sciences and humanities through excellence in scholarly research, professional meetings, publications,...

 located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A., is awarded since 1906. The originally called "Philosophical Society" was founded in 1743 by Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin

Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...

. The award was created to remember the 200th anniversary of the birthday of Franklin.

The medal was created by the brothers Augustus and Louis St. Gaudens

Louis St. Gaudens

Louis St. Gaudens , was a significant American sculptor of the Beaux-Arts generation....

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Recipients

Recipients received this award under different names for different reasons:

• The first medal was given to the Republic of France in 1906.
• 1921: Franklin Medal to Marie Curie
  Marie Curie
  Marie Skłodowska-Curie was a physicist and chemist famous for her pioneering research on radioactivity. She was the first person honored with two Nobel Prizes—in physics and chemistry...
  
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• Benjamin Franklin Medal, for notable services to the American Philosophical Society, between 1937 and 1983.
• Benjamin Franklin Medal for Distinguished Achievement in the Humanities or Sciences, between 1985 and 1991.
• Benjamin Franklin Medal for Distinguished Achievement in the Sciences, awarded since 1993.

• Benjamin Franklin Medal for Distinguished Public Service, awarded since 1987.