Smithson, James (1765-1829), a British scientist, founded the Smithsonian Institution. In his will he gave more than $500,000 to the United States to establish an institution for the “increase and diffusion of knowledge among men.” After much debate over whether the United States could legally accept the gift, Congress agreed. In 1846, Congress established the Smithsonian Institution at Washington, D.C.
Smithson was born in Paris in 1765, but the exact date of his birth is unknown. He was educated at Oxford University. Smithson became known for his researches in chemistry and mineralogy. One of the many minerals that he studied was named smithsonite (zinc carbonate) in his honor. He died in Genoa, Italy, on June 27, 1829.
See also Smithsonian Institution .
