Overview
The American Philosophical Society began awarding medals in 1790. Since then, it has continued by awarding medals and prizes for outstanding achievement in the sciences, humanities, arts, professions, and public service. Currently the Society makes ten annual or semiannual awards, which are listed below. Two of these awards, the Jacques Barzun Prize in Cultural History, and the Judson Daland Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Patient-Oriented Clinical Investigation, are open to competition. Candidates for the Barzun Prize may submit their work. Candidates for the Daland Prize must be nominated. See the instructions and criteria below for these two prizes.
The Barzun and Daland Prizes
Submissions for prizes are solicited for distinguished work in the following fields:
- The Jacques Barzun prize in cultural history
- The Judson Daland prize in patient-oriented research
Submission procedures differ:
- Prospective recipients of the Barzun prize may submit their work
- Prospective candidates for the Daland prize do not participate in the nomination process
Please click on the following links for complete information
Other APS Awards, Medals, and Prizes
Benjamin Franklin Medal
In 1906, the United States Congress authorized a commemorative medal to mark the two hundredth anniversary of the birth of Benjamin Franklin. The first medal was presented "under the direction of the President of the United States" to the Republic of France. In recognition of its founder, subsequent medals were given to the American Philosophical Society for its use.
From 1937 to 1983 the medal was given for especially noteworthy contributions to the APS.
Previous recipients.
From 1985 to 1991 the medal was the Society's highest award for the humanities and sciences.
Previous recipients.
In 1987, the Benjamin Franklin Medal for Distinguished Public Service was established to honor exceptional contributions to the general welfare. In 1993, when the Thomas Jefferson Medal was authorized by Congress (see below), the Benjamin Franklin Medal was designated for recognition of distinguished achievement in the sciences. The medal is the Society's highest award for distinguished public service and the sciences.
Previous recipients of the Benjamin Franklin Award for Distinguished Public Service
Previous recipients of the Benjamin Franklin Medal for Distinguished Achievement in Science
Thomas Jefferson Medal for Distinguished Achievement in the Arts, Humanities, or Social Sciences
In 1993, the United States Congress praised the American Philosophical Society as "the oldest learned society in the
United States and one of the principal scholarly and scientific bodies in the world." Congress honored the Society and
its third president, Thomas Jefferson, for "devotion to learning" by authorizing the minting of the Thomas
Jefferson Medal. The first medal was awarded to King Juan Carlos I in recognition of its democratic accomplishments.
The medal is the Society's highest award for the arts, humanities, and social sciences.
Previous recipients
Karl Spencer Lashley Award
Established in 1957 by Dr. Lashley, a member of the Society and a distinguished neuroscientist and neuropsychologist.
Lashley's entire scientific career was spent in the study of behavior and its neural basis. His famous experiments on the
brain mechanisms of learning, memory and intelligence helped inaugurate the modern era of integrative neuroscience.
The award is made in recognition of work on the integrative neuroscience of behavior.
Previous recipients
John Frederick Lewis Award
Established by a gift from the widow of John F. Lewis, to honor the outstanding maritime lawyer who played a major role
in various cultural institutions in Philadelphia. Since 1981 the award has recognized the best book published by the
Society in a given year.
Previous recipients
Magellanic Premium
Established by a gift of 200 guineas by John Hyacinth de Magellan of London in 1786 "for a gold medal to be awarded from
time to time under prescribed terms, to the author of the best discovery or most useful invention relating to navigation,
astronomy, or natural philosophy (mere natural history only excepted.)." The Magellanic Premium is the nation's oldest
medal for scientific achievement.
Previous recipients
Henry Allen Moe Prize in the Humanities
Established in 1982 by a gift from the widow of Henry Allen Moe, to honor the longtime head of the Guggenheim Foundation
and president of the American Philosophical Society from 1959 to 1970. It pays particular tribute to his firm commitment
to the humanities and those who pursue them. The Moe Prize is awarded annually to the author of a paper in the humanities or jurisprudence read at a meeting of the Society.
Previous recipients
Henry M. Phillips Prize
Established in 1888 by a gift from Henry M. Phillips' sister to be used as an award for the best essay of real merit on
the science and philosophy of jurisprudence. From 1986 to 1997, this award in jurisprudence recognized the most important
publication in the field within a five-year period. In 1999, the criteria for the prize were raised to recognize
outstanding lifetime contributions to the field of jurisprudence and the important publications, which illustrate that
accomplishment. The first award using the current criteria was presented in 2000.
Previous recipients