Scientists
James Smithson
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James Smithson was a British chemist and mineralogist whose 1826 will, activated on the 1835 death of his nephew without heirs, bequeathed his fortune to found the Smithsonian Institution in Washington for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men.
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Birth YearExact birth date is not recorded; sources generally give c. 1765. Cross-Tradition Connections
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1. James Smithson (Wikipedia)
WikipediaLead sectionQuote, Lead section
James Smithson (c. 1765 - 27 June 1829) was a British chemist and mineralogist.
1. James Smithson (Wikipedia)
WikipediaInfoboxQuote, Infobox
Born: Jacques-Louis Macie, c. 1765, Paris, Kingdom of France. Died: 27 June 1829 (aged 63-64), Genoa, Kingdom of Sardinia.
1. James Smithson (Wikipedia)
WikipediaFounded: Smithsonian Institution, Bequest sectionQuote, Founded: Smithsonian Institution, Bequest section
I then bequeath the whole of my property... to the United States of America, to found at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an Establishment for the increase & diffusion of knowledge among men.
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