Who donated the money that established the American institution that would come to be know as the nations attic?

The American institution known as "the nation's attic," referring to the Smithsonian Institution, was established through a donation from James Smithson, a British scientist. In his will, Smithson left his fortune to the United States to create an institution for the increase and diffusion of knowledge. His bequest was utilized to establish the Smithsonian in 1846, which has since grown to encompass a vast array of museums, research facilities, and educational programs.