Joseph Henry (1797-1878) was the leading American
experimental physicist of his day and the first secretary (director)
of the Smithsonian Institution. His papers illuminate the history of
American science, education, and culture during the first three
quarters of the nineteenth century. The fifty-one documents in this
mini-edition (from January to May 1847) are taken from his first
year as head of the Smithsonian. They show Henry striving to ensure
that the enigmatic bequest of British scientist James Smithson be
used in America to support original scientific research and
publication, rather than to create a national museum or library.
Many of the documents also shed light on the social and political
life of antebellum Washington, D.C. Also included are documents
relating to Henry's roles as scientific consultant and researcher,
such as entries from his laboratory notebook, the "Record of
Experiments," which may be viewed in facsimile by clicking on a link
provided in the document.
Marc Rothenberg, Editor
Kathleen W. Dorman, Assistant
Editor
Frank R. Millikan, Historian
Deborah Y. Jeffries,
Research Assistant |
Joseph Henry, oil on canvas, 1875, by Henry
Ulke (1821-1910). National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian
Institution. | |
