The Smithsonian Institute

Summary

• Article opens with an explanatory paragraph written by the editor stating that he had selected the subject of the Smithsonian Institute for discussion in this issue because the United States Congress was beginning to consider legislation implementing James Smithson's bequest to establish an institute for the "diffusion of knowledge among men." The editor views this action as one that will have great importance to succeeding generations and states that he had solicited an "accomplished friend" to comment on James Smithson's personal character, as well as the proposed Institution itself [the next issue of the Southern Literary Messenger, Vol. VI, No. 1, addressed the latter subject]. The remainder of the article is the unnamed friend's response, written in the form of a letter to the editor.
• He considers it an honor for the country to have been given the important duty of establishing the Institute and voices his hope that the effort be successful for the sake of national integrity. Although the writer had not personally met Smithson, he suggests that an examination of the benefactor's correspondence and writings show an individual with a philosophic turn of mind, a man of few wants and a retired habit of life who had a passion for chemistry throughout his life. As evidence of this major interest, the writer uses excerpts from pieces of Smithson's communications with other scientists, and quotes extensively as well from a number of Smithson's published scientific papers which were then in the writer's personal library.

Subject

• Smithson, James 1765-1829
• United States Congress

Category

Smithsonian Institution History Bibliography

Notes

Article can be found online in the "Making of America" digital library collection.

Contained within

Southern Literary Messenger Vol.5, No. 12 (Journal)

Contact information

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

Date

December 1839

Topic

• Smithson Bequest
• Benefactors
• Act to establish the "Smithsonian Institution," for the Increase and Diffusion of Knowledge Among Men
• SI, Early History
• Philanthropists
• Gifts

Physical description

pp. 828-832

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