Joseph Henry
Joseph Henry (December 17, 1797– May 13, 1878) was an American scientist who served as the first secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. He was the secretary for the National Institute for the Promotion of Science, a precursor of the Smithsonian Institution. He also served as president of the National Academy of Sciences from 1868 to 1878.
Joseph Henry | |
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Photograph of Henry, c. 1865–1878 | |
| 1st Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution | |
| In office 1846–1878 | |
| Succeeded by | Spencer Fullerton Baird |
| 2nd President of the National Academy of Sciences | |
| In office 1868–1878 | |
| Preceded by | Alexander Dallas Bache |
| Succeeded by | William Barton Rogers |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 17, 1797 Albany, New York, U.S. |
| Died | May 13, 1878 (aged 80) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Resting place | Oak Hill Cemetery Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Spouse | Harriet Henry (née Alexander) |
| Children | William Alexander (1832–1862) Mary Anna (1834–1903) Helen Louisa (1836–1912) Caroline (1839–1920) |
| Signature | |
| Alma mater | The Albany Academy |
| Known for | Electromagnetic induction, Inventor of a precursor to the electric doorbell and electric relay |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Physics |
| Institutions | The Albany Academy The College of New Jersey Smithsonian Institution Columbian College |
| Articles about |
| Electromagnetism |
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While building electromagnets, Henry discovered the electromagnetic phenomenon of self-inductance. He also discovered mutual inductance independently of Michael Faraday, though Faraday was the first to make the discovery and publish his results. Henry developed the electromagnet into a practical device. He invented a precursor to the electric doorbell (specifically a bell that could be rung at a distance via an electric wire, 1831) and electric relay (1835). His work on the electromagnetic relay was the basis of the practical electrical telegraph, invented separately by Samuel F. B. Morse and Sir Charles Wheatstone. In his honor, the SI unit of inductance is named the henry (plural: henries; symbol: H).