The Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters was founded in Madison and incorporated by the Legislature on March 16, 1870. The purpose of the organization, as stated in its charter, is “to encourage investigation and disseminate correct views in the various departments of science, literature, and the arts.” Persons interested in the “promotion of sciences, arts, and letters in the state of Wisconsin” were eligible for membership; generally the membership has included teachers, physicians, lawyers, businessmen, government employees, and the clergy.
Chiefly responsible for the formation of the Academy was John W. Hoyt, secretary of the Wisconsin Agricultural Society; Increase Lapham, Wisconsin's most renowned scientist; and Philo R. Hoy, a Racine physician. It was largely due to Hoyt's influence that the organization embraced the sciences, arts, and letters within one organization and he envisioned it as the source of all original research in Wisconsin. Although activities did not match Hoyt's vision, the Academy met quarterly, established a journal (Transactions) to publish the research and writings of members, and launched a library based on exchanges. For many years the Academy received an appropriation from the Legislature for the publication of Transactions. In 1873 the Legislature also provided funds to allow the Academy to begin another special concern, a geological survey of the state. Twenty years later Edward A. Birge revived the project.
During the Depression the Legislature halted appropriations to the Academy for publication of Transactions. The uncertain financial situation created by this did not end until 1967 when Harry Steenbock made the Academy self-sustaining through a general bequest. During the 1940's the Academy became involved in the Junior Academy of Science movement, and it aided in launching such an organization in Wisconsin. In addition, in 1954 the Academy launched the Wisconsin Academy Review which contained news and short articles of more general interest.
Several more detailed histories of the organization are filed in the first folder of the collection. In addition, a review of the Academy's first one hundred years was printed in the 1970 Spring issue of the Wisconsin Academy Review.
