The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Lowell Institute

LOWELL INSTITUTE, a Boston institution founded with a bequest of $250,000 by John Lowell (1799-1836) for “the maintenance and support of public lectures, to be delivered in Boston, upon philosophy, natural history, the arts and sciences, or any of them, as the trustees shall, from time to time, deem expedient.” Edward Everett delivered the first lecture 31 Dec. 1839, since when the leaders in philosophy, art and science of the English-speaking world have delivered regular annual courses of lectures. The institute is managed by a single trustee, who must be a member of the Lowell family of Massachusetts. Consult Smith, H. K., ‘History of the Lowell Institute’ (Boston 1898).