Dec
03

December 3, 1846

Professor Joseph Henry of Princeton University receives seven out of 12 votes cast by the Board of Regents for the position of Secretary (the executive officer of the Smithsonian Institution). The Board then unanimously passes a resolution approving the election of Henry, who went on to serve a 32-year term: 1846-1878. The 49-year-old Henry (born December 17, 1797) is well known in the scientific world as a “natural philosopher” because of his basic discoveries in the field of electromagnetism.

Related posts:

Smithsonian 175: Mr. Henry Goes to Washington Composite image of Smithsonian stuffFifty things we’ve learned about the Earth since the first Earth Day Several people, including Solomon Brown, on the North Steps of the Smithsonian CastleSolomon Brown’s Verses and Vision Today in Smithsonian History: December 3, 1846

Posted: 3 December 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.