Poznań Society of Friends of Learning


The Poznań Society for the Advancement of Arts and Sciences 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 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 Society initiated the founding of University of Poznań.

Presidents