Rita Dove, Henry Hoyns Professor of Creative Writing, had been elected a member of the American Philosophical Society three decades ago, but only now, at the society's 2025 autumn meeting in San Diego, was able to participate in person for the first time to be officially inducted. (Sadly, none of the 1996 signatories are still alive.) The American Philosophical Society is the oldest honorary society in North America, founded in 1743 by Benjamin Franklin. It counts among its members numerous U.S. presidents, including the first four (George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison), but also Marie Curie, Albert Einstein and many other luminaries of the 18th through the 21st centuries. 

 

The attached photos depict the official 1996 certificate and this year's first time in-person attendees, including Harvard University president Alan Garber (standing, second from the right), who had hooded Rita Dove in 2018 for her Harvard honorary doctorate while he was provost, and Swarthmore College president Valerie Smith (sitting, second from the left).