President’s Council Member Elected to Philosophical Society
Ismail Serageldin is recognized for his intellectual accomplishments and public service.
Published December 09, 2011
The members of the American Philosophical Society (APS) voted a member of the Academy's President's Council, Ismail Serageldin, director of the Library of Alexandria, into membership. This high honor was conferred to Serageldin in recognition of his extraordinary accomplishments in the fields of intellectual endeavor and public service. He was nominated and elected by his peers in the Society, which has 700 members from a wide variety of disciplines. Other members elected this year include several Nobel laureates and the newest member of the U.S. Supreme Court. Of the 37 new members elected in 2011, Serageldin is one of eight non-U.S. members.
Founded in 1743 by Benjamin Franklin, the APS promotes useful knowledge in the sciences and humanities. The Society honors and engages distinguished scientists, humanists, social scientists, and leaders in civic and cultural affairs through elected membership.
Serageldin is highly regarded worldwide for his attempts to combat hunger in developing countries, as well as his tireless efforts to re-establish the importance of science in the Arab and Muslim worlds.