This book is a comprehensive and authoritative account of the first 50 years of the National Academy of Sciences, one of the most prestigious scientific institutions in the world. True draws upon archival sources, official records, and personal interviews to trace the academy's origins, development, and impact on science, education, and public policy. The book is a testament to the importance of scientific excellence and collaboration in advancing knowledge and solving societal challenges. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.