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 stated that should Henry James Hungerford (his nephew) die without heirs, the Smithson estage should go the the United States government and used to create a "Establishment for the increase & diffusion of Knowledge among men".