The Resume

(1765-June 27, 1829)
Died in Italy
Birth name was James Lewis Macie
British scientist
Namesake for the Smithsonian Institute

Why he might be annoying:

He inherited a huge sum from his parents which afforded him a life of travel and opportunity to meet with famed scientists of the day.
He was able to pursue a life of conducting chemical and geological research.
When his mother died, he changed his name from Macie (mother's name) to Smithson (father's name, 1800).
Among his scientific papers were the chemical content of a lady's teardrop and a better method of making coffee.
He didn't make it clear why he wanted money to go to the People of the United States.

Why he might not be annoying:

He bequeathed $508,318 to the people of the United States.
The money was used to found the Smithsonian Institute, the official collection of America.
He was the illegitimate son of Hugh Smithson (future duke of Northumberland) and Elizabeth Macie (a widow of royal blood).
He graduated with a Master of Arts from Pembroke College, Oxford (1786).
He was a strong advocate of educating the lower class.
He said 'Every man is a valuable member of society who by his observations, researches, and experiments procures knowledge for men.'
His will left the bulk of his estate to his nephew with the provisional that if his nephew dies without children, the estate goes to America.
His nephew, Henry James Hungerford, died childless in 1835 and thus the money went to the U.S.

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• 18th Century Scientists
• 19th Century Scientists
• I am a Citizen of France
• I Attended Oxford
• I'm a Bastard
• Look at Me, My Picture Is Art
• Profiles 3001-3250 (Ranked: 3170)
• Scientists
• Smith Versus Jones
• White Men Loved by Blacks

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 8 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 11 Votes: 72.73% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 8 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 8 Votes: 37.50% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 25 Votes: 48.00% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 16 Votes: 43.75% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 18 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2010, Out of 25 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
In 2009, Out of 42 Votes: 38.10% Annoying
In 2008, Out of 35 Votes: 42.86% Annoying
In 2007, Out of 107 Votes: 43.93% Annoying
In 2006, Out of 145 Votes: 45.52% Annoying
In 2005, Out of 170 Votes: 44.12% Annoying
In 2004, Out of 273 Votes: 45.05% Annoying
In 2003, Out of 535 Votes: 42.24% Annoying
In 2002, Out of 1612 Votes: 42.06% Annoying