Sold – President-elect James A. Garfield Thanks the Widow of the Smithsonian Institution’s Legendary First Secretary, Joseph Henry, For Her Congratulations on His Victory in the 1880 Election
Joseph Henry had careers as a scientist, teacher, promoter of research, and administrator, but he is best remembered as the first Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, founded as the result of a gift from James Smithson. As Secretary, Henry shaped and guided the new entity into greatness. When he died in 1878,...
Joseph Henry had careers as a scientist, teacher, promoter of research, and administrator, but he is best remembered as the first Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, founded as the result of a gift from James Smithson. As Secretary, Henry shaped and guided the new entity into greatness. When he died in 1878, his funeral was attended by President Rutherford B. Hayes, Vice President William Wheeler, and members of the cabinet, Supreme Court, and Congress. The White House, the Capitol, and other government buildings closed. Congressman James A. Garfield was a Regent of the Smithsonian and was among those who gave eulogies during a special session of Congress held eight months later; these eulogies were published, and Garfield’s runs seven pages.
Harriet A. Henry was Joseph’s wife, and the couple had three daughters. The Henry and Garfield families were acquainted. Mrs. Henry wrote Garfield congratulating him on his victory in the 1880 election. It was a month before he had time to personally attend to her letter. Letter Signed, on his Mentor letterhead, December 4, 1880, to Mrs. Henry in Washington. “Your favor of the 22nd instant came to hand, just as I was about leaving the city of Washington. Accept my thanks for your kind congratulations. Mrs. Garfield joins me in kind regards to your daughter and yourself.”
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