James Smithson was an English chemist and mineralogist, born on June 3, 1765. He is best known for founding the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Smithson never visited the United States, but he left his fortune to the nation in his will, intending to promote knowledge and education. After his death in 1829, his bequest was used to establish the Smithsonian Institution in 1846. The institution has since grown to include numerous museums, research facilities, and educational programs, making it a vital resource for learning and cultural preservation in the United States.