Nov
18

November 18, 1887

Samuel P. Langley is elected the third Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution at a special meeting of the Board of Regents. His term lasts 19 years, until his death in 1906. Prior to his appointment, Langley was the Assistant Secretary in charge of exchanges, publications and the library. Prior to that he was director of the Allegheny Observatory and professor of astronomy and physics at the Western University of Pennsylvania (now the University of Pittsburgh). His pioneering research explored and located completely new portions of the infrared spectrum.

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Posted: 18 November 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.