Benjamin Tappan

Summary

Benjamin Tappan (1773-1857) engraving by P.H. Reason from a daguerreotype by Edwards. Tappan was a member of the United States Senate while the legislation founding the Smithsonian was being debated. He introduced bills to found the Institution which included an experimental farm and botanical gardens. On December 12, 1844 Senator Benjamin Tappan of Ohio introduces a bill to establish the Smithsonian Institution. It emphasizes the useful sciences of natural history, chemistry, geology, astronomy and especially, agricultural experiments. The bill provides for the creation of professorships and lecturers, whose duties feature the productive and liberal arts, especially improvements in agriculture, horticulture and rural economy. Final legislation is not passed until August 10, 1846.

Subject

• Tappan, Benjamin
• United States Congress Senate

Category

Historic Images of the Smithsonian

Contained within

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 22, Folder: 48

Contact information

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

Date

c. 1840s?

Restrictions & Rights

No restrictions

Topic

• Busts
• SI, Early History
• Agriculture

Form/Genre

Engraving

ID Number

2002-32256

Physical description

Color: Black and White; Size: 4x6; Type of Image: Bust; Medium: Engraving

Full Record

View Full Record