Smithson Portrait and Papers Purchased

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Summary

A miniature likeness of James Smithson and one of Colonel Henry Louis Dickinson (the half-brother of Smithson) are purchased for $100 (500 francs) from Mr. George Henry de la Batut, a distant relative of Smithson through marriage. Accompanying these portraits is what appears to be the original draft of Smithson's will, differing slightly from the final version in the Court of Chancery, that was previously published, as well as a series of notes addressed to Smithson by some distinguished scientists of the day.

Subject

  • de la Batut, George Henry
  • Dickinson, Henry Louis 1771-1820
  • Smithson, James 1765-1829

Category

Chronology of Smithsonian History

Notes

  • This miniature painted by Henri Johns in 1816 is now in the collections of the National Portrait Gallery. The miniature was transferred to the Portrait Gallery from the Division of Political History, National Museum of American History and accessioned in 1985. It is 3" x 2", tempera on paperboard (information from John McMahon, National Portrait Gallery).
  • Annual Report of the Smithsonian Institution for the year 1877, p. 9
  • Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 7000, Box 3, Folder 7

Contact information

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

Date

1877

Topic

  • Acquisitions
  • Art
  • Accessions
  • Letters
  • Portraits
  • Museums
  • Wills
  • Archives
  • Art objects
  • Museums--Acquisitions
  • Wills--Great Britain

Place

Great Britain

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