Society of Friends

known as Quakers

Protestant denomination that arose in England in the mid-17th century. The movement began with radical English Puritans called Seekers, who rejected the Anglican church and other existing Protestant sects. They took their faith from itinerant preachers such as George Fox, who emphasized “inward light,” or inward apprehension of God, as the source of religious authority. Quaker meetings are characterized by patient silence in which members wait for inspiration to speak. The movement grew rapidly after 1650 (when a judge gave them their name because “we bid them tremble at the word of God”), but its members were often persecuted or imprisoned for rejecting the state church and refusing to pay tithes or swear oaths. Some emigrated to America, where they were persecuted in Massachusetts Bay Colony but found toleration in Rhode Island and in the Quaker colony of Pennsylvania, which was chartered by Charles II under the sponsorship of William Penn in 1681. Other marks that became characteristic of Quakerism were plain speech and dress, pacifism, and opposition to slavery. The group also emphasizes philanthropy, especially aid to refugees and famine victims; the American Friends Service Committee and (British) Friends Service Council shared the 1947 Nobel Peace Prize.

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The Poznań Society of Friends of Learning (Polish: Poznańskie Towarzystwo Przyjaciół Nauk, PTPN) is a learned society in Poznań, Poland, established in 1857, of scholars and scientists in all branches of learning. It has been one of the largest and most important general learned organizations in Poland.

When founded in the 19th century, the Poznań Society was the chief Polish scientific and cultural organization in Prussian Poland, and until the creation of Kraków's Academy of Learning (Akademia Umiejętności) in 1871-73 it was the most important learned society in all the Polish lands. In addition to its learned activities, the Society collected and secured art works and Polish national mementos.

In 1919 the Poznań Society initiated the founding of Poznań University (today officially known as Adam Mickiewicz University).

Presidents of the Poznań Society

• August Cieszkowski
• Tytus Działyński
• August Cieszkowski for second time
• Karol Libelt
• Stanisław Egbert Koźmian,
• August Cieszkowski for the third time
• archbishop Edward Likowski
• Heliodor Święcicki
• Bronisław Dembiński
• Zygmunt Lisowski
• Zygmunt Wojciechowski, Kazimierz Tymieniecki, Stefan Barbacki, Gerard Labuda, Zdzisław Kaczmarczyk, Zbigniew Zakrzewski.

Famous members

• August Cieszkowski (1814-1894), Polish philosopher, social and political activist, co-founder of the Polish League (Liga Polska), co-founder and president of the PTPN
• Tytus Działyński (1796-1861), Polish political activist, protector of arts
• Kazimierz Jarochowski (1828-1888), Polish historian, publicist of the Dziennik Poznański (Poznań Daily), co-founder of PTPN
• Karol Libelt (1807-1875), Polish philosopher, political and social activist, president of PTPN
• Teofil Matecki (1810-1886), Polish physician, social activist, member of PTPN, founder of the Adam Mickiewicz monument of Poznań
• Leon Wegner (1824-1873), Polish economist and historian, co-founder of PTPN

Main publications:

• Badania Fizjograficzne nad Polską Zachodnią
• Roczniki Historyczne
• Roczniki Dziejów Społecznych i Gospodarczych
• Slavia Occidentalis
• Lingua Posnaniensis
• Studia Automatyki

See also

• Scientific Help Society for the Youth of the Grand Duchy of Poznań

External links

Web site: http://www.ptpn.poznan.pl/