Jul
05

July 5, 1850

The Board of Regents approves Secretary Joseph Henry’s nomination of Spencer Fullerton Baird as Assistant Secretary in the Department of Natural History to take charge of the Museum as “Keeper of the Cabinet” and to assist with publications. Baird, a naturalist, previously taught at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The initial salary for his position is $1,500 per annum.

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Posted: 5 July 2010
About the Author:

Alex di Giovanni is primarily responsible for "other duties as assigned" in the Office of Communications and External Affairs. She has been with the Smithsonian since 2006 and plans to be interred in the Smithson crypt.