In Smithson's will, he stated that should his nephew, Henry James Hungerford, die without heirs, the Smithson estate would go to the government of the United States for creating an "Establishment for the increase & diffusion of Knowledge among men".
In Smithson's will, he said if his nephew Henry James Hungerford died without heirs, the Smithson estate would go to the US government. They would make an "Establishment for the increase & diffusion of Knowledge among men".