Description: A biography of Joseph Henry (1797–1878), noted U.S. scientist and first Secretary, or chief executive officer, of the new Smithsonian Institution in 1846.
Description: The Smithsonian Institution’s first building, the Castle, was designed by architect James Renwick. Until 1881, it housed all aspects of Smithsonian operations, including research, administration, lecture and exhibit halls, library, laboratories, collections storage, and living quarters for the Secretary. Today, the Castle houses administrative offices and the Smithsonian