Following the formation of a body of trustees to invest funds for the purchase of a lot and erection of a building, a committee to solicit contributions to the Building Fund of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia was first appointed on 15 Jan. 1850. On 2 Mar. 1859, after a suitable building site had been found, the College appointed a special committee of seven Fellows, Thomas Hewson Bache, Edward Hartshorne, James J. Levick, S. Weir Mitchell, William Byrd Page, Robert P. Thomas, and Francis West, chairman, to pursue unfilled pledges and solicit additional contributions from both Fellows as well as other physicians and local figures.
This committee, sometimes referred to as the "Committee of Seven", first approached the Fellows, raising some $3000, then turned to members of the Philadelphia County Medical Society and local pharmacists, and, finally, to other individuals. The committee made its final report on 5 Dec. 1860 and was released.
From the description of Records, 1850-1862. (College of Physicians of Philadelphia). WorldCat record id: 122488958
