James Smithson's Institution

(Host: Christine) In the mid-18th century, the illegitimate son of a British noble was born in France. In the mid-19th century, the Smithsonian Institution was founded in the United States. What do these two seemingly unrelated things have to do with each other? Find out in this week’s episode of Footnoting History, as we look at the history of James Smithson–the man behind the creation of the Smithsonian Institution. For further reading suggestions and more, please visit:

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James Smithson's Institution is an episode from Footnoting History by Footnoting History.

This episode is 24:48 long.

This episode was published on May 2, 2026.

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