Today in Smithsonian History: July 23, 1882

Portrait of George Perkins Marsh, a Representative to the United States Congress from Vermont, an advocate for a great national library, and member of the first Smithsonian Board of Regents, c. 1860.

July 23, 1882. Rep. George Perkins Marsh dies. A member of Congress from Vermont, Marsh was a strong supporter of the Smithsonian in its early years, arguing for a great national library as part of the Institution. He served on the Board of Regents from 1847 to 1849. He encouraged Secretary Joseph Henry to hire his protégé, Spencer Fullerton Baird, as the first curator of the National Museum. His art collection was purchased for the National Museum in 1849, the first art collection acquired by the Smithsonian.

Courtesy of Smithsonian Institution Archives

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