JOSEPH HENRY - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 11/29/1864 - HFSID 2026

JOSEPH HENRY
Joseph Henry writes a letter of introduction for Major Smyth of the Royal English Artillery.
Autograph Letter signed: "Joseph Henry" as Secretary of the Smithsonian, 1p, 5x8¼. Washington, D.C., 1864 November 29. In full: "The bearer of this notice is Maj. Smyth of the Royal English Artillery, and Brother to Professor Smyth Astronomies Royal of Edinburgh. He visits this city for professional [illegible]; and I beg to [illegible] him to the kind attention of the officers of the U. S. Army as a gentleman worthy of their confidence and esteem." Joseph Henry (1797-1878), a physicist and scientific administrator, discovered electromagnetic induction and self-induction. He is also credited with the invention of the electric motor (1829) and later invented low-resistance and high-resistance galvanometers. In 1893, his name was given to the standard electrical unit of inductive resistance, the henry. In 1846, Henry became the first Secretary of the newly organized Smithsonian Institution, where he established a continuing tradition of research. Under his leadership, weather reporting stations were connected by telegraph in the U.S. In the spring of 1863, Henry was one of the founding members of the National Academy of Science and served as Academy President from 1867. He was both President of the National Academy of Science and Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution until his death. Alexander Twilling developed the first commercially viable ice-making machine in 1856. Pencil note (unknown hand) at bottom margin. Vertical fold crosses "e" of Joseph. Very fragile. Encapsulated. Overall, fine condition.