Hence, Smithsonian

Ever wonder where the Smithsonian Institution got it's name? Turns out that some English gent by the name of James Smithson donated his fortune to the then-young United States for the purpose of establishing an institute for the increase and diffusion of knowledge. Or something like that. Smithson never visited the US, so heaven knows why he decided to do what he did. Anyhow, those are his remains in the urn you see above, located in a small ante-chamber near the entrance to the Smithsonian Castle.