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.
Recipients
Homer Thompson
"In recognition of a life which has fostered Greek archaeology through distinguished publications and encouragement of generations of practitioners; a scholar whose unique vision of the whole subject and understanding of the central civic space of ancient Athens, the Agora, led him to open the site and expose its entire history from earliest times into the Byzantine age."
George F. Kennan
"In recognition of a distinguished leader who brought the benefits of a brilliant mind to government and whose pertinent experience enriched his contributions to scholarship, who crafted the containment policy, wrote perceptively about American foreign policy, effectively promoted understanding of Russia and the Soviet Union, and provided intelligent, courageous, and persuasive criticisms of the War in Vietnam and the nuclear arms race."
Arthur Link
"In recognition of the dedication, confidence, and achievement of an extraordinary historian, teacher, and editor, whose premier general history, remarkable biography, sixty-nine volume edition of the papers of Woodrow Wilson, and other important writings have promoted a clearer understanding of American history."
King Juan Carlos I on behalf of Spain
"In recognition of courageous actions which brought democracy to her inhabitants, and for bestowing the legacy of liberty, articulated by Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence, upon countless generations."
Bernard Bailyn
"In recognition of an extraordinary life of scholarship and an address, "Jefferson and the Ambiguities of Freedom," presented at the meeting celebrating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the Society and the birth of its third president, Thomas Jefferson."
Warren E. Burger
"In recognition of distinguished public service and an address, "The Decline of Professionalism," presented at the meeting celebrating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the Society and the birth of its third president, Thomas Jefferson."
John Hope Franklin
"In recognition of an inspiring life of scholarship and an address, "The Social Sciences for the New Century," presented at the meeting celebrating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the Society and the birth of its third president, Thomas Jefferson."
Peter Paret
"In recognition of an impressive life of scholarship and an address, "Jefferson and the Birth of European Liberalism," presented at the meeting celebrating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the Society and the birth of its third president, Thomas Jefferson."
Hanna Gray
"In recognition of vital leadership in the academic world and effectively articulating the value of scholarship to the common good on many occasions including the meeting celebrating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the Society and the birth of its third president, Thomas Jefferson."
Daniel Patrick Moynihan
"In recognition of a distinguished career of public service, and his role in gaining congressional approval of the medal which commemorates the 250th anniversary of the founding of the Society and of the birth of its third president, Thomas Jefferson."
