Jan
01

Today in Smithsonian History: January 1, 1872

Spencer Fullerton Baird (1823-1887), naturalist, ornithologist and second Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution (1878-1887), sitting in a chair reading a paper. (Photo by William Bell, taken Jan. 10, 1867)

Spencer Fullerton Baird (1823-1887), naturalist, ornithologist and second Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution (1878-1887), sitting in a chair reading a paper. (Photo by William Bell, taken Jan. 10, 1867)

January 1, 1872 Naturalist, ornithologist and Assistant Smithsonian Secretary Spencer Fullerton Baird (1823-1887) is named head of the U.S. National Museum. Smithsonian Secretary Joseph Henry issues a memo stating “the Assistant Secretary shall have special charge of the collections of the Institution, and of the National Museum, and shall direct the operations connected with them subject to the approval of the Secretary.” Baird would succeed Henry as Secretary of the Smithsonian after Henry’s death in 1878.

Courtesy of Smithsonian Institution Archives

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Posted: 1 January 2020
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