Smithsonian Institution
Name Entries
corporateBody
Smithsonian Institution
Name Components
Name :
Smithsonian Institution
eng
Latn
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rda
Smitsonovskij institut
Name Components
Name :
Smitsonovskij institut
dan
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Смитсоновский институт
Name Components
Name :
Смитсоновский институт
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Smitsona institūts
Name Components
Name :
Smitsona institūts
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Latn
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Exist Dates
Biographical History
The Smithsonian Institution was established on August 10, 1846, is a group of museums and research centers administered by the United States government. The institution is named after its founding donor, British scientist James Smithson. Originally organized as the United States National Museum. James Smithson (1765-1829), a British scientist, left his estate to the United States to found “at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge.” The Smithsonian Institution was officially established by legislation signed by President James K. Polk on August 10, 1846, as a trust to be administered by a Board of Regents and a Secretary of the Smithsonian. Since its founding, the Smithsonian has become the world’s largest museum and research complex, with 19 museums, the National Zoo and nine research facilities. The Secretary of the Smithsonian, appointed by the Board of Regents, is the Institution's chief executive officer. Secretaries have included Joseph Henry, 1846-1878; Spencer F. Baird, 1878-1887; Samuel P. Langley, 1887-1906; Charles D. Walcott, 1907-1927; Charles G. Abbot, 1928-1944; Alexander Wetmore, 1944-1952; Leonard Carmichael, 1953-1964; S. Dillon Ripley, 1964-1984; Robert McCormick Adams, 1984-1994; Ira Michael Heyman, 1994-2000; Lawrence M. Small, 2000-2007; Cristián Samper, Acting Secretary, 2007-2008; and G. Wayne Clough, 2008 - .
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External Related CPF
https://viaf.org/viaf/151449627
https://www.worldcat.org/identities/lccn-no2005089154
https://id.loc.gov/authorities/no2005089154
https://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q131626
Other Entity IDs (Same As)
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Resource Relations
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Internal CPF Relations
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Languages Used
eng
Zyyy
Subjects
Education
Aeronautics
Art museums
Coasts
National Museum
Natural history
Science In America
Science museums
Science museums
Wilkes Expedition
Nationalities
Americans
Activities
Education
Museums
Publishers
Research
Occupations
Legal Statuses
Places
Isthmus of Panama
AssociatedPlace
Research Station in Panama.
District of Columbia
AssociatedPlace
Located in Washington D.C.
Convention Declarations
<conventionDeclaration><citation>VIAF</citation></conventionDeclaration>