What is the history of Philly Fellows?
Philly Fellows was founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1768 as a means to staff the libraries, fire companies, and numerous other public institutions he had already founded. Legend has it that Franklin was inspired by Philly Fellows’ distinctive kite logo to attempt his famous experiment with lightning. Prominent fellows of the time included Robert Fulton who later invented the steamboat and Richard Rush, who went on to serve as Secretary of the Treasury in the John Quincy Adams Administration. Philly Fellows went into dormancy during the War of 1812 and was revived 192 years later by Co-Directors Matt Joyce and Tim Ifill.
