English-Speaking Union Talk

At a meeting of the English-Speaking Union on Sunday, October 4, James MacFarlane will describe the history and continued activities of the St. Andrew’s Society of Philadelphia. It was formed in 1747 as a charitable organization to assist poor Scottish immigrants. Among its founding members were five signers of the Declaration of Independence, including John Witherspoon, the first president of Princeton University, and Hugh Mercer, for whom Mercer County was named. It is believed to be the oldest, continuously operating philanthropic organization in the United States.

Today it is an active organization with 470 members. It grants year-long scholarships to Scottish universities to college students in the Philadelphia area. According to MacFarlane, it is also “the beating heart of all things Scottish in Philadelphia.”

The lecture will be held at 3:00 at the Nancy S. Klath Center for Modern Aging at 101 Poor Farm Road in Princeton. A reception will follow.