Show JAMES GIFT one of the most remarkable gifts in history both with respect to the circumstances under which it was given and the results which have sprung from it was that of james smithson an englishman who left his fortune of about to the united states about years ago efrom his legacy has arisen one of the leading scientific establishments lish ments in the world in accordance with the terms of his will which provided that the money should be used to found in the city of washington under the name of the smithsonian institution an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men A strange fact connected with his gift is that during his life jalcs smithson never set foot on american soil he was bom in france of english parents the natural son of hugh smithson who afterwards became the duke of northumberland his mother was elizabeth keate macie a descendant of henry VII smithson was a scientist of some note deeply interested in re particularly in chemistry just why he left his fortune to the united states is unknown in any event as was recently said Smith sons bequest became the inspiration of american science and even to a measurable extent of world science besides it has served as an example to other men who have given princely gifts to promote the spread of knowledge aln 1904 Smith sons remains were brought from genoa italy where he died in 1829 and interred in the grounds of the smith fiaman institution |