Draft of the Will of James Smithson

Title: Draft of the Will of James Smithson
Creator: James Smithson
Date: 10/23/1826
Description: In his will, James Smithson left his estate to his nephew or his nephew's children. In the event that his nephew died without any children, Smithson's fortune was to go to the United States government for "an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men" to be founded in the city of Washington. Smithson's nephew died childless in 1835, meaning that Smithson's fortune of approximately $515,000 was given to the US. Congress disagreed over whether the government should accept Smithson's money. After years of debate, Congress accepted the gift and established the Smithsonian Institution in 1846.
Source: Smithsonian Institution Archives, View Original.
Coverage: 1800-1829