Joseph Henry (December 17, 1797 ā May 13, 1878) was born in Albany, New York, to William and Ann Henry, two immigrants from Scotland. “In 1819 he was persuaded by some influential friends to pursue a more academic career, he entered Albany Academy, where he was given free tuition. He was so poor, even with free tuition, Joseph Henry had to support himself with teaching and private tutoring positions.”
Henry excelled academically. He “discovered the electromagnetic phenomenon of self-inductance,” which I shan’t attempt to explain, but it’s a big deal.
“The SI [international standard] unit of inductance, the henry, is named in his honor. Henry’s work on the electromagnetic relay was the basis of the practical electrical telegraph.”
After teaching at the precursor of Princeton University, and excelling as a scientist, he became the first Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, always working “tirelessly to support the field of American science.”
“Henry focused the Smithsonian on research, publications, and international exchanges. The system of international exchanges begins in 1849, with the Smithsonian providing a clearinghouse function for the exchange of literary and scientific works between societies and individuals in this country and abroad. Also by 1849, he created a program to study weather patterns in North America, a project that eventually led to the creation of the National Weather Service.”
The Albany (NY) School District science fair is named after Joseph Henry.
See the glass window? I view it almost every week, as it is a Tiffany creation, found in the Assembly Hall of First Presbyterian Church of Albany. Mr. Henry was baptized in the church, albeit in an earlier building.
Here is a memoir of Joseph Henry by Simon Newcomb, read in 1880, shortly after his death in his quarters in the Smithsonian Castle in Washington, DC.
an intelligent person he was obviously š
Nice piece of history to read about for a non-us-citizen
Your posts are generally so informative and pedagogic!
Thank you Roger:)
Some amazing information here Roger but would you believe, that
I have the least scientific mind ever, but my husband Ian
will be able to explain all to me when he’s read it over.
I haven’t even heard of Joseph Henry, I am most ashamed to say.
I shall be back later, hopefully enlightened !
Best regards,
Di.
abcw team.
Your posts always aim to inform.
I love that he is celebrated with a stained glass window, I like how the set shows him passing knowledge on. You have some lovely windows in your church.
You are truly a fountain of knowledge. Blessings!
Great to know about him. I learned something.
Happy ABCW!
A fitting tribute to a lesser known man of science (for me at least) and a matter of pride for your church I would imagine.
Very talented fellow and nice to learn of this accomplishments today.
Ann
Another very highly talentedscientist who could help humanity to higher level. Hopefully we can benefit from all these inventions.
one of these scientists that history remembers! Since there are presently so many more, wonder who will be added to the history books:) As always an interesting post, Roger!
That’s pretty cool that the church made a stained glass window of John Henry. It’s the first time I heard of one being made of a modern person who isn’t a saint.
I can only admire a man like this who was so poor and still became famous !
Informative post as always ~ thanks ~
Happy Week to you ~ ^_^