The will left his estate to his nephew, Henry James Hungerford, and stated that if his nephew died without an heir, the money would go "to the United States of America, to found at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge Rush brought Smithson's personal effects to the United States in , along with the money from his estate.
Then Congressional debates continued until when legislation was passed creating the Smithsonian Institution. Unfortunately, a fire in the Smithsonian Institution Building or Castle in destroyed many of the Smithson letters, diaries, and other papers originally acquired by the Institution.
As a result of the fire, the Smithsonian Institution Archives does not have very many of James Smithson's original letters or other papers. Among those that the Smithsonian Institution Archives does have are a handwritten draft of Smithson's Last Will and Testament, dated October 23, , and his "Receipt Book" containing formulas for food, beverages, and everyday products. What Is a Primary Source? Stories from the Smithsonian Get to know the people who have shaped the Smithsonian since its founding in , through their letters, diaries, oral histories, and photographs.
James Smithson: Founder of the Smithsonian Institution. Menu: Stories from the Smithsonian. I Letter describing his work, August 12, II Letter detailing fears of a Confederate attack, September 4, III Letter on delays in communication and shipment on the railroads, September 6, V Letter with request for increased salary, August 6, VI Letter about exemption from Union military draft, September 23, I Battle of Gettysburg, July 8 — July 30, V End of the Civil War, April , It took years for the government to decide how to spend the money.
Plus, the Jackson administration was notorious for their dismissal of academics and foreign culture—many politicians viewed the bequest as a patronizing gift from the more educated and refined English. Though some of the gold coins had already been invested and lost in questionable schemes, Adams persuaded Congress to replace the money and use it for some educational or cultural purpose.
Congress entertained using the money for a variety of things—Adams favored the establishment of a national observatory, while other Congressmen wanted to expand Columbian College now George Washington University. Polk finally signed the Smithsonian Institution bill. Over the years, the trustees and staff of the Smithsonian have been endlessly curious about the life and death of their founding benefactor.
Efforts were made to track down his publications and learn more about his scientific research. His books and other possessions are on display in the many Smithsonian buildings that line the National Mall. In , Alexander Graham Bell a regent of the institute proposed that Smithson be re-interred in Washington—he personally traveled to Italy to oversee the exhumation and transport of the body.
View the discussion thread. Source: Wikimedia Commons Congress entertained using the money for a variety of things—Adams favored the establishment of a national observatory, while other Congressmen wanted to expand Columbian College now George Washington University. On July 1, , Congress accepted the legacy bequeathed to the nation and pledged the faith of the United States to the charitable trust.
In September , Smithson's legacy, which amounted to more than , gold sovereigns, was delivered to the mint at Philadelphia. Recoined in U. Polk on Aug. Since its founding, more than years ago, the Smithsonian has become the world's largest museum, education, and research complex, with 19 museums, the National Zoo, and nine research facilities.
Learn more about our history from Smithsonian Institution Archives ». The Smithsonian was founded August
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