Honorary member

Definition and stakes

The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution…

Sir;—The body of the gentlemen of the law, ambitious of associating to themselves a man, whom they consider as an ornament of his country, and as the firm support of her rights, unanimously prays you to accept the title of honorary member of the society, as an unequivocal testimony of their admiration of vast talents when they are displayed in the cause of liberty and virtue.
Source: Gutenberg

Portrait of Mercy Otis Warren Mercy Otis Warren History of the Rise, Progress, and Termination of the American Revolution (1805)

This institution embraced the whole body of officers belonging to the army and navy, both French and Americans. The right of admitting as honorary members persons of eminence of any nation was also assumed. This adoption of honorary members gave the right only of partaking present munificence, and the enjoyment of the honor during their own lives, however they might have been distinguished in name or character.
Source: Wikisource

Portrait of Edward Charles Pickering Edward Charles Pickering Popular Science Monthly (1909)

Honorary membership in a famous society, or honorary degrees, have great value if wisely awarded. Both are highly prized, form an excellent stimulus to continued work, and as they are both priceless, and without price, they in no way diminish the capacity for work. I recently had occasion to compare the progress in various sciences of different countries, and found that the number of persons elected as foreign associates of the seven great national societies of the world was an excellent test.
Source: Wikisource

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