Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society (Chapel Hill, N.C.)

The Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society was formed on 20 September 1883 under the leadership of Francis P. Venable and University of North Carolina President Kemp P. Battle. Composed of faculty, staff, and alumni of the University's science and mathematics departments, the Society was organized to commemorate the name and contributions of Elisha Mitchell by fostering scientific research and disseminating scientific knowledge. The primary means of reaching these ends was the publication of the annual "Journal of the Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society." In 1983, publication of the Journal passed to the North Carolina Academy of Science and the Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society dissolved.

From the description of Records of the Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society, 1883-1983 [manuscript]. WorldCat record id: 26992957

The Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society was formed on 20 September 1883 under the leadership of Francis P. Venable and University of North Carolina President Kemp P. Battle. Composed of faculty, staff, and alumni of the university's science and mathematics departments, the society was organized to commemorate the name and contributions of Elisha Mitchell by fostering scientific research and by disseminating scientific knowledge. The primary means of reaching these ends was the publication of the annual Journal of the Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society . Originally, the journal published papers presented at the society's monthly meeting. By 1900, research papers were solicited from leading scientists for publication in the Journal.

During the second half of the 20th century, the society and its journal were faced by the twin problems of falling membership and rising publication costs. The institution of publication subsidies and contributions from the university and from the North Carolina Academy of Science provided needed support until the 1970s. The loss of university funding proved to be the final blow. At the society's centennial celebration, held 8-9 April 1983 in conjunction with the North Carolina Academy of Science, the North Carolina Archaeological Council, and the Southern Association for the History of Science and Technology, the Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society dissolved. The publication of the Journal of the Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society passed to the North Carolina Academy of Science.

From the guide to the Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society Records, 1883-1983, (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. University Archives.)