The Smithsonian Institution, often referred to simply as the Smithsonian, is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex. Established in 1846, it was founded with funds from the estate of British scientist James Smithson, who left his fortune to the United States to found "an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men."
James Smithson, a British scientist who had never visited the United States, bequeathed his estate to the U.S. government upon his death in 1829. After some debate, Congress accepted the legacy on July 1, 1836, and President Andrew Jackson signed the act into law. The Smithsonian was officially established with an act of Congress signed by President James Polk on August 10, 1846.
The mission of the Smithsonian Institution is to increase and diffuse knowledge. It operates as a trust instrumentality of the United States, with its board of regents including the Vice President of the United States, the Chief Justice of the United States, three members of the United States Senate, three members of the United States House of Representatives, and nine citizens.
The Smithsonian includes 19 museums, 21 libraries, nine research centers, and a zoo, all located in the Washington D.C. area except for two museums (the American Art Museum and the Renwick Gallery in New York City). Some notable facilities include:
The Smithsonian conducts extensive research in fields such as astrophysics, botany, ecology, history, and the arts. It supports educational initiatives through its museums, traveling exhibitions, and educational programs, including the Smithsonian Affiliations program which extends the reach of its educational and cultural resources to museums and educational institutions across the country.
The Smithsonian publishes numerous journals, books, and the Smithsonian Magazine, which covers science, history, art, and culture.