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Illegitimate Englishman donated millions to U.S.: Which museum bears his name?
Here's an unusual piece of American history that illustrates the power of philanthropy and what happens when money is used for the purpose it was intended. Imagine what James Smithson must think if he can view Smithsonian Castle and all the other buildings that line the Mall in Washington D.C.? Possibly, he's pleased as punch.
Smithson, an illegitimate Englishman who died in 1829, left between $50 to $100 million dollars to the United States, a country he had never visited. His desire was for his money to be used "'for the increase and diffusion of knowledge.'"
If the slew of buildings that includes the Air and Space Museum, the American History Museum, and the African Art Museum isn't an indication of what can happen when one person's generosity is put to good use, I don't know what is. Of course, Smithson's money wasn't enough to create all of the Smithsonian's building, but still, consider what what can happen when there's a mighty good idea that has a healthy start.
In this article that first appeared in the Washington Post, Moira E. McLaughlin covers a bit of the history of Smithson's gift that consisted of 105 bags of gold. She also points out the significance of Smithsonian Castle, the Smithsonian's first building that is now used for the Smithsonian's administrative offices and information center. According to McLaughlin, the information center is a perfect place to begin a visit to the Smithsonian. It can help you orient the rest of your time there.
I've been to the Smithsonian several times and have never visited The Castle. Next time I'm in D.C., this is my first stop. In case no one has thanked you properly James Smithson,THANKS a million times over. Your gift was truly splendid.
If the style of the building looks familiar, it's because its architect, James Renwick, Jr. also designed St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City.
Filed under: History, Stories, United States, Budget Travel
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
James Nov 22nd 2009 3:39PM
This is a fascinating story and there's much more to it. For example, his father married into the famous Percy family and abandoned his own name to adopt that of Percy as the Duke of Northumberland. James Smithson carried his mother's married name, Macie throughout most of his life, but for some reason took his father's name later. I have always found it interesting, why I don't know, that if tradition had taken its course, one of the most historic aristocratic families in England would currently be called Smithson in the Percy line, because the male line had ended before the Smithson/Percy marriage, and the famous American institution would be called the Macieian Institution. Weird, huh? The whole story of his life would make a great movie.
Jamie Rhein Nov 22nd 2009 3:44PM
James,
Thanks so much for the extra information. I didn't know anything about this story until I picked up the paper today. What an interesting fellow!