Marsh Proposes Library for Smithson Bequest

Close
Usage Conditions Apply
The Smithsonian Institution Archives welcomes personal and educational use of its collections unless otherwise noted. For commercial uses, please contact photos@si.edu.
Print
 

Summary

Representative George Perkins Marsh, of Vermont, delivers an extensive and eloquent speech to the House of Representatives urging the construction of a great library. Though Marsh wanted to direct the James Smithson bequest entirely to the purposes of a library, due to his efforts the annual appropriation for a library increased from $20,000 to $25,000 in the final bill to establish the Institution.

Subject

  • Marsh, George Perkins 1801-1882
  • United States Congress

Category

Chronology of Smithsonian History

Notes

  • Rhees, William Jones. The Smithsonian Institution: Documents Relative to Its Origin and History: 1835-1899, Vol. 1, 1835-1887. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1901, p. 371-387.
  • Rothenberg, Marc, et al, eds. The Papers of Joseph Henry, vol. 6. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1982, p. 465.

Contact information

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

Date

April 23, 1846

Topic

  • Smithson Bequest
  • Policies
  • Act to establish the "Smithsonian Institution," for the Increase and Diffusion of Knowledge Among Men
  • Libraries

Full Record

View Full Record