The Smithsonian Institution is a group of museums, education
and research centers, the largest such complex in the world,
created by the U.S. government "for the increase and diffusion
of knowledge”.  Founded on August 10, 1846, it operates as a
trust instrumentality and is not formally a part of any of the
three branches of the federal government. The institution is
named after its founding donor, British scientist James
Smithson. It was originally organized as the United States
National Museum, but that name ceased to exist in 1967.
(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

James Smithson  (c. 1765 – 27 June 1829)