The Mystery of William Penn, The Royal Society, and The First Map of Pennsylvania

THE MYSTERY OF WILLIAM PENN, THE ROYAL SOCIETY, AND THE FIRST MAP OF PENNSYLVANIA By Marion Balderston* Only a very few of the many biographers of William Penn mention that in 1681 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of London.1 None of them has given a convincing reason why this man of religion was asked to join a company of men made up largely, though not entirely, of scientists, or, as they called themselves, natural philosophers . The Fellowship of the Royal Society included the most brilliant minds of the day, teachers, writers, physicians, churchmenall scholars—as well as peers. In that century nothing flourished without noble patronage, and these distinguished members were men of education as well. The president, LoTd Brouncker, was a mathematician , the Duke of Buckingham an inventor.2 The Fellowship also included a few statesmen and the poet John Dryden. They had one thing in common—a desire for the advancement of science. Thomas Clarkson,3 Penn's biographer, an Englishman, understood what a great honor this was. In his book he paraphrased a letter the great Quaker wrote to Dr. John Wallis, theologian, one of the Society's founders.4 Penn expressed his satisfaction at the progress of the "Institution" and his awareness of the good that would result to science. He added that he was going out to Pennsylvania and he promised that from there he would contribute to its usefulness. Clarkson deduced from this that it was Wallis who introduced Penn to the Society. His name, however, was put up by John Houghton, an active member who wrote articles on new methods * Marion Balderston, who has published several articles in this magazine, lives in San Marino, California. 1 The Royal Society of London, for the Promotion of Natural Knowledge, or sometimes, for Promoting Natural Knowledge. 2 Lord Brouncker (1620V-1684) was the first president. The Duke of Buckingham had a patent for glass-making. He once promised the Society to bring it a unicorn's horn. 3 Thomas Clarkson, Memoirs of tL· Private and Public Life of William Penn (London, 1813). 4 John Wallis (1616-1703), "a most ill-natured man, an egregious Iyer and back-biter," wrote John Aubrey, who disliked him. 79 80Quaker History to improve trade and husbandry, and who made his living as an apothecary and a dealer in those new exotic drinks, tea, coffee, and cocoa.6 Penn's name was introduced on November 2, 1681, at one of the Society's regular Wednesday afternoon meetings at Gresham College; he was elected at the next meeting, November 9.6 He had many friends among the members ready to welcome him. There was Sir William Petty, inventor, surveyor of Ireland, who was already pledged to buy 10,000 acres of land in Penn's new colony. The fact that he never took up his option, probably for lack of money, as he was already behind in his dues to the Society, did not alter their friendship.7 There was the great Irish-born scientist, linguist, chemist , the Honorable Robert Boyle.8 There was John Aubrey, antiquary , famous for his Brief Lives,9 and John Locke,10 the philosopher. These were old friends. Samuel Pepys, Secretary to the Navy, was not exactly a friend but always friendly,11 and there was even that odd character, the merchant, Sir Thomas Clutterbuck, who professed great admiration for Penn. Besides this, his friendship with those two honorary Fellows, the King himself and the Duke of York, was well known. Election was by secret ballot, a method not new but unusual at the time.12 Aubrey wrote that Penn was elected unanimously—nemine contraddente. 5 John Houghton (died 1705) attended nearly every meeting. 6 Thomas Birch, History of tL· Royal Society, IV (London, 1760), 99-100. The candidates' eligibility was apparently quietly discussed by the Council before the balloting. 7 Sir William Petty (1623-1687), in modern terms a political economist. Always interested in Pennsylvania, he never purchased land but proposed a plan to manage a tract, giving Penn 1%. The Petty Papers, ed. Marquis of Lansdowne, II (London, 1927), 121. 8 Robert Boyle (1627-1691), one of the most brilliant...