Henry's Tenure at Princeton

Summary

Joseph Henry and his family move from Albany to New Jersey, where he takes up new duties as professor of Natural Philosophy at the College of New Jersey, now Princeton University. During his tenure there, in addition to teaching duties, Henry continues his researches in electromagnetism, including construction of an electromagnet which can sustain over 3,000 lbs., further work on the electromagnetic telegraph, research into electro-dynamic induction, researches to produce inductive currents of different orders and compare currents of intensity to currents of quantity, and the discovery that the discharge of electricity from a Leyden jar is of an oscillatory character. He also continues his interest in the study of meteorology, molecular physics, and heat and light.

Subject

• Henry, Joseph 1797-1878
• College of New Jersey (Princeton, N.J.)
• Princeton University

Category

Chronology of Smithsonian History

Notes

• Sketch by Joseph Henry of Philosophical Hall at the College of New Jersey, 1830. Smithsonian Institution Archives, negative number SIA2012-3616.
• Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections, vol. 21, no. 356, Article III. "A Memorial of Joseph Henry", including Obsequies, Memorial Exercises at the Capitol and Memorial Proceedings of Societies. Washington: Smithsonian Institution, 1881, pp. 532, 61, 149-165, 238-270.
• The Papers of Joseph Henry, vol. 1. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, p. 433-461, see also Volumes 2-6.

Contact information

Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Institution Archives, 600 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024-2520, SIHistory@si.edu

Date

November 1832

Topic

• Electromagnets
• Educators
• Physics
• Meteorology
• Teaching
• Electromagnetism
• Research
• Teachers

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