Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos, philanthropist Melinda Gates and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center director Dr. Larry Corey are among those who’ve been named to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a more than 230-year old organization that recognizes scholars, scientists, writers, artists and philanthropic leaders.
“Election to the Academy is both an honor for extraordinary accomplishment and a call to serve,” said Academy President Leslie C. Berlowitz. “We look forward to drawing on the knowledge and expertise of these distinguished men and women to advance solutions to the pressing policy challenges of the day.”
Other notable inductees include actor Clint Eastwood; Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton; playwright Neil Simon and more than 200 others. Full list here.
Founded in 1780, past recipients of the honor include George Washington, Ben Franklin, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Albert Einstein and others.
[Hat tip to KPLU’s Humanosphere blog]
