In the year 1888, Thomas S. Fiske and some of his colleagues at Columbia University founded the New York Mathematical Society. As the organization grew to national scope, the name was changed in 1894 to the American Mathematical Society.
Since that time, the Society has grown to represent a large and diverse group of mathematicians and to exert a strong influence on the progress of mathematical research throughout the world.
Observing the approach of the Centennial year, the AMS Committee on the Publication Program decided to mark the occasion with the publication of appropriate historical materials. The Committee on History of Mathematics
was appointed to organize and oversee the collection of suitable materials, and to continue a program of publication of mathematical history beyond the Centennial year. The members of the latter committee were Peter Duren (Chairman), Richard Askey, Bruno Harris, and Uta Merzbach.
Read more at http://ebookee.org/A-Century-of-Mathematics-in-America-Part-1-History-of-Mathematics-Vol-1-_969571.html#J8C0QiSjtcDx5oYx.99