JAMES SMITHSON


James Smithson
James Smithson
  • Born: June 27, 1829
  • Died: June 27, 1829
  • Nationality: British
  • Profession: Chemist, Mineralogist

James Smithson FRS was an English chemist and mineralogist. He published numerous scientific papers for the Royal Society during the late 1700s as well as assisting in the development of calamine, which would eventually be renamed after him as "smithsonite". He was the founding donor of the Smithsonian Institution, which also bears his name.