On this episode of Our American Stories, James Smithson was never accepted by his father, the Duke of Northumberland. He never married, had no children, and spent his life studying minerals—but his parting gift to the world upon his death was to a country he never set foot in or even spoke about during his lifetime. Wyatt Hensley, a history education major at Pittsburgh University and a two-time winner of Constituting America’s We the Future contest, tells the remarkable story of the outcast who created America’s premier museum, which now bears his name.

We’d like to thank Constituting America for sharing this wonderful tale with us.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, James Smithson was never accepted by his father, the Duke of Northumberland. He never married, had no children, and spent his life studying minerals&mdash;but his parting gift to the world upon his death was to a country he never set foot in or even spoke about during his lifetime.&nbsp;Wyatt Hensley, a history education major at Pittsburgh University and a two-time winner of Constituting America&rsquo;s We the Future contest, tells the remarkable story of the outcast who created America&rsquo;s premier museum, which now bears his name.
We&rsquo;d like to thank <a href="https://constitutingamerica.org/">Constituting America</a> for sharing this wonderful tale with us.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate</a>)

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit, and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories tells stories that aren&rsquo;t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we&rsquo;ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

The Disowned British Noble Who Founded the Smithsonian—After His Death

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/99b06234-23dd-4e89-9ff4-b29e01468fab/transcript