Joseph Henry

Biography

Joseph Henry (1797–1878) was a pioneering American scientist and the first Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, serving from its founding until his death. A distinguished physicist, Henry made significant contributions to the understanding of electromagnetism and conducted groundbreaking experiments that advanced scientific knowledge in the 19th century.

As head of the Smithsonian, Henry shaped the institution's mission to increase and diffuse knowledge, establishing it as a center for scientific research and education. His dedication to advancing American science and his role in fostering scientific inquiry left a lasting impact on the nation's intellectual and cultural development.