| 1797 | | December 17.
Born in Albany, New York to Ann Alexander Henry (1760-1835) and William Henry (1764-1811)
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| 1819-1822 | | Attends the
Albany Academy
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| 1826-1832 | | Professor of
Mathematics and Natural Philosophy at the Albany Academy
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| 1827 | | Begins research in
electromagnetism
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| 1830 | | May 3. Marries Harriet
Alexander (1808-1882)
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| 1831 | | Publishes seminal paper on
electromagnetism in January issue of Silliman's Journal; publishes paper on electric motor in
July issue of Silliman's Journal; demonstrates prototype
telegraph
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| 1832-1848* | | Professor of Natural
Philosophy at the College of New Jersey (later Princeton University)
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| 1846-1878 | | Secretary of the
Smithsonian Institution
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| 1848 | | Establishes Smithsonian
meteorological observer network
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| 1849-1850 | | President of the
American Association for the Advancement of Science
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| 1852-1878 | | Member of the United
States Light-House Board
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| 1868-1878 | | President of the National
Academy of Sciences
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| 1871-1878 | | Chairman of the United
States Light-House Board
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| 1878 | | May 13. Dies in Washington,
D.C.
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| *Although Henry became Secretary of the Smithsonian in 1846,
he retained his position at Princeton until June 1848. |