Institut de France

   The institut de France is a group of five learned French societies, each fostering a special branch of art, literature, philosophy, or science. As originally organized (1795), the Institut comprised three societies: for physics and mathematics, for the moral and political sciences, and for literature and the fine arts. The five present sections now include the Académie Française, founded (1635) by Cardinal Richelieu for the principal purpose of standardizing the French language. The first edition of its authoritative dictionary was published in 1694. The dictionary is constantly revised, and volumes are published as they are completed. In 1980, marguerite yourcenar became the first woman elected to this academy. The Académie des inscriptions et Belles-Lettres was organized in 1663 for the purpose of the study of ancient inscriptions and documents, numismatics, and languages. it has 45 members. The Académie des sciences was established in 1666 to promote work in the mathematical sciences, including geometry and astronomy, and in such physical sciences as chemistry, and also botany, and anatomy. it has 130 members. The Académie des Beaux-Arts was created in 1648 to encourage the fine arts and maintain aesthetic standards. it has 50 members. The Académie des Sciences Morales et Politiques was founded at the same time as the Institut de France (1795). It comprises five divisions: history and geography; legislation and jurisprudence; morals; philosophy; and political economy; it has 50 members. In total, the Institut de France has more than 300 members, each elected for life and receiving a small annuity. There are also about 300 correspondents, many of whom are foreigners. Each section elects its own members when vacancies occur. since 1805, the institut has held its meetings in the Palais de l'institut in Paris. Each section also awards annual prizes to nonmembers who have done notable work in the areas covered by the societies. The institut possesses a fine artistic and architectural heritage, the result of bequests from benefactors.