JOSEPH HENRY - MANUSCRIPT LETTER SIGNED 12/09/1862 - HFSID 1630

JOSEPH HENRY
Joseph Henry writes a letter saying that he is unable to answer his question but will try to find the answer.
Manuscript Letter signed: "Joseph Henry" as Secretary of the Smithsonian, 1p, 8x10. Washington, D.C., 1862 December 9. To Prof. Alex C. Twilling, New Haven, Connecticut. In full: "I am unable to give you any information in regard to the affairs if Girard College, but have written to a friend in Philadelphia to obtain an account of its present condition & the names of its managers. It will give me much pleasure to fully endorse your fitness for the office of President of that establishment, if you should think proper to become a candidate. I remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant."  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. Slightly soiled. Vertical fold crosses signature. Encapsulated. Overall, fine condition.