Samuel Langley Elected Third Secretary
Close
PrintSamuel P. Langley is elected the third Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution at a special meeting of the Board of Regents. His term lasts 19 years, until his death in 1906. Prior to his appointment, Langley was the Assistant Secretary in charge of exchanges, publications, and the library. Prior to that he was director of the Allegheny Observatory and professor of astronomy and physics at the Western University of Pennsylvania (now the University of Pittsburgh). His pioneering research explored and located completely new portions of the infrared spectrum.
Chronology of Smithsonian History
Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Institution Archives, 600 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024-2520, SIHistory@si.edu
November 18, 1887