James Lewis (Macie) Smithson (abt. 1765 - 1829)

Born about 5 Jun 1765 in Paris, Île-de-France, France

Ancestors

Died 27 Jun 1829 at about age 64 in Genoa, Liguria, Italy

James (Macie) Smithson is Notable.

Biography

James Smithson was the illegitimate son of Hugh Smithson and Elizabeth Hungerford Keate Macie. Born as James Lewis Macie, he was later naturalized in England and changed his name to James Smithson. James Smithson was an accomplished chemist and mineralogist.^[1] Although he never set foot in the United States, he was so devoted to the spread of knowledge and information that he bequeathed his estate to create the Smithsonian Institution in the fledgling nation.^[2]

Research Notes

In his will, dated 23 Oct. 1826, Smithson describes himself as ‘son of Hugh, first duke of Northumberland, and Elizabeth, heiress of the Hungerfords of Studley and niece of Charles the Proud, duke of Somerset, now residing in Bentinck Street, Cavendish Square.’ There was a bequest to an old servant, and the income of the property was left for life to a nephew, Henry James Hungerford, also known as Dickinson, and afterwards as Baron Eunice de la Batut (d. 1835). Subject to these provisions, the whole was bequeathed ‘to the United States of America, to be found at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men.’ The value of the effects was sworn as under 120,000L. in the prerogative court at Canterbury. The money is believed to have come chiefly from Colonel Henry Louis Dickinson (d. 1820), who was believed to be his mother's son by her 2nd husband John Marshe Dickinson. (nb. probably was another illegitimate son of his parents). )[1]

Sources

1. ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Smithson
2. ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smithsonian_Institution

See also:

• https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/mr-smithsons-family-goes-washington-180972412/
• Restless Roamer: James Smithson’s Final Journey, January 29, 2023 by Jaap Harskamp, New York Almanack, https://www.newyorkalmanack.com/2023/01/restless-roamer-james-smithson-final-journey/ .

• Allen Minix.