English
scientist James Smithson dies in Italy, leaving an odd footnote in his will, saying that
if his only nephew died without any heirs, his entire estate would go to “…the
United States of America, to found at Washington, under the name of the
Smithsonian Institution, an Establishment for the increase and diffusion of
knowledge.”
This sparked significant
interest on both sides of the Atlantic, especially since Smithson had never
visited the U.S. Six years later, his
only nephew did pass away without heirs and Pres. Jackson sent a diplomat to
Europe to secure the funds.
Today the Smithsonian consists of 19 museums and
the National Air and Space Museum is the most visited museum in the world. John Smithson in interred in a tomb in the
Smithsonian Building.
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| Rotunda of the Museum of Natural History Photo from William Beem Photography |
