The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) was founded on March 3, 1863, in the midst of the Civil War.
The immediate roots of the NAS can be traced to the early 1850s and a group of scientists based primarily in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The group enlisted the support of Massachusetts Senator Henry Wilson, who helped draft a bill to create the National Academy of Sciences. Wilson introduced the bill in the Senate on February 20, 1863, where it was passed on March 3. Later that day it was passed by the House of Representatives and signed by President Lincoln before the end of the day. The National Academy of Sciences was formally established with 50 founding members, joined a few years later by a selection of the nation’s most distinguished scientists.
Over the years, the National Academy of Sciences expanded its services to the government. During World War I, it became apparent that the limited number of members – then numbering only about 150 – could not cope with the volume of requests for advice on military preparedness. In 1916, the Academy established a National Research Council at President Wilson’s request to recruit specialists from the larger scientific and technological communities to participate in the Academy’s advisory work to the government. Recognizing the value of scientific councils to the nation in both peacetime and wartime, Wilson issued an executive order at the end of World War I asking the Academy to perpetuate the National Research Council. Subsequent decrees by President Eisenhower in 1956 and President Bush in 1993.
Under its charter, the National Academy of Sciences established the National Academy of Engineering in 1964 and the Medical Institute in 1970 (which became the National Academy of Medicine in 2015). Like the National Academy of Sciences, each of these organizations is composed of members elected by their peers in recognition of outstanding achievements in their respective fields.
The National Academy of Sciences was created in 1863 by an Act of Congress, signed by President Lincoln, as a private, nongovernmental institution to advise the nation on matters related to science and technology. Members are elected by their peers for outstanding contributions to research. Dr. Marcia McNutt is president .
The National Academy of Engineering was created in 1964 by statute of the National Academy of Sciences to bring engineering practices to the nation. Members are elected by their peers for outstanding contributions to engineering. Dr. John L. Anderson is president.
The National Academy of Medicine(formerly the Institute of Medicine) was created in 1970 by statute of the National Academy of Sciences to advise the nation on medical and health issues. Members are elected by their peers for outstanding contributions to medicine and health. Dr. Victor J. Dzau is president.
The three academies work together as the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine to provide the nation with independent, objective analysis and advice, as well as other activities to address complex issues and public policy decisions. The National Academies also promote education and research, recognize outstanding contributions to science, and enhance public understanding of science, engineering, and medicine.
The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) is a private, nonprofit society of outstanding scientists. Established by an Act of Congress signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, the NAS is responsible for providing independent and objective advice to the nation on matters related to science and technology. Scientists are elected by their peers to membership in the NAS for outstanding contributions to research. The NAS is committed to advancing science in America, and its members actively contribute to the international scientific community. Approximately 500 current and deceased members of the NAS have received Nobel Prizes.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , founded in 1914, is today one of the leading international journals publishing original research.
The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) and the National Academy of Medicine (NAM, formerly the Institute of Medicine) were founded by statute by the NAS in 1964 and 1970, respectively. The three academies work together as theNational Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation, as well as other activities to solve complex problems and make public policy decisions. The national academies also encourage education and research, recognize outstanding contributions to science, and enhance public understanding of science, engineering, and medicine. The service of the National Academies to government has become so important that Congress and the White House have issued laws and executive orders over the years affirming its unique role.
