Click to expand/collapse all notes

Click to expand/collapse all other details

James Smithson, scientist. Founded Smithsonian Institute by bequest

James Smithson 1816

Start the slideshow

Pause the slideshow

Display the previous picture

Display the next picture

James was born in 1765. James' father was Hugh Smithson Percy 2nd Duke of Northumberland and his mother was <Unknown>. His paternal grandparents were Sir Hugh Smithson Percy 1st Duke of Northumberland and Elizabeth Baroness Percy. He had four half-brothers named Henry, Hugh, Algernon and Richard. He died at the age of 64 in 1829.

General Notes
- English Scientist.
  Post-humously founded the Smithsonian Institute in the USA in 1846. This was through his bequest which was held in chancery to be used to set up a scientific foundation - the American govenment claimed this bequest.

Ancestor Pedigree Chart
- Sir Hugh Smithson Percy 1st Duke of Northumberland
  - d.1786
  
  Hugh Smithson Percy 2nd Duke of Northumberland
  - b.1742 d.1817
  
  Charles Seymour, 6th Duke of Somerset
  - d.1748
  
  Algernon Baron Percy, 7th Duke of Somerset, Earl of Northumberland
  - d.1750
  
  Josceline 11th Earl of Northumberland ^*
  - d.1670
  
  Elizabeth Baroness Percy, Duchess of Somerset
  - b.1666 d.1722
  
  Lady Elizabeth Wriothesley
  
  Elizabeth Baroness Percy
  - d.1776
  
  James Smithson, scientist. Founded Smithsonian Institute by bequest
  - b.1765 d.1829
  
  ^*There are earlier generations for the ancestor(s) indicated. See their page(s) for details (click name)

Individual Additional Information

Page last modified