American Academy of Arts and Sciences

The American Academy of Arts and Sciences is one of the oldest learned societies in the United States. It was founded in 1780. It is dedicated to honor excellence and leadership in the arts and sciences. 
Membership in the academy can be done through a petition, review, and election process and has been thought to be a high honor for scholars. The academy was founded during the American Revolution by John Adams, John Hancock, James Bowdoin, and other Founding Fathers of the United States.