A tale of mystery and museology
Once upon a time, in a country called England, there lived an internationally renowned scientist. But this is not the story of his life. It is the story of his death.
179 years ago, in June of 1829, James Smithson passed away, leaving behind a mysterious clause in his will. His estate was bequeathed to his nephew, as was proper, but there was a stipulation that if the nephew, Henry Hungerford, should die without heirs, then the estate would be turned over to another party. Which is to say, Henry Hungerford died without heirs, and the whole of the Smithson estate was bequeathed upon "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 among men."
No one knows why Smithson left his worldly wealth to a fledgling rebel nation across the pond. Smithson had never travelled to the U.S., nor was he known to have any correspondents here. There are, of course, many speculative theories, but it is all a mystery.
And from that mystery has grown the world's most renowned institution, including some of the world's most visited museums. Whatever Smithson's reasons, he left the U.S. and the world an amazing legacy. These museums are magical, inside and out. And it's been pretty cool to be a part of that this summer.
Today marks 162 years since the founding of the Smithsonian Institution. Here's to many more years of preserving and sharing that "galaxy of knowledge".
Read more:
Kauffman, Bruce. "The will, testament of John Smithson." The Tribune-Star 24 June 2008.
Smithsonian Institution. Smithsonian: History.
179 years ago, in June of 1829, James Smithson passed away, leaving behind a mysterious clause in his will. His estate was bequeathed to his nephew, as was proper, but there was a stipulation that if the nephew, Henry Hungerford, should die without heirs, then the estate would be turned over to another party. Which is to say, Henry Hungerford died without heirs, and the whole of the Smithson estate was bequeathed upon "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 among men."
No one knows why Smithson left his worldly wealth to a fledgling rebel nation across the pond. Smithson had never travelled to the U.S., nor was he known to have any correspondents here. There are, of course, many speculative theories, but it is all a mystery.
And from that mystery has grown the world's most renowned institution, including some of the world's most visited museums. Whatever Smithson's reasons, he left the U.S. and the world an amazing legacy. These museums are magical, inside and out. And it's been pretty cool to be a part of that this summer.
Today marks 162 years since the founding of the Smithsonian Institution. Here's to many more years of preserving and sharing that "galaxy of knowledge".
Read more:
Kauffman, Bruce. "The will, testament of John Smithson." The Tribune-Star 24 June 2008.
Smithsonian Institution. Smithsonian: History.