New-York tribune., 1905-01-29
TO HONOR JOSEPH HENRY.
albany Eager to See His Statue in
BrOnSe.

albany Jan. Is (SpeciaD.-A movement has haen
..s-ted here TO honor one OF the most fanoous ma
- N this city and State by the erection of !.
,u,orial statue at the eastern end OF the Capitol
s-Isng Joseph Henry, who was the inventor OF
80 sectro-magnet which made telegraphy prac-
tsble and who was a pioneer in certain irnportant
,,-es OF electrical research. and the head OF the
s-,thsonian Institution. was born in Albany ~,
rs-ernber T. 1877. one Of the decorative features
:, rbe Electricity Building in ST Louis last wear
-,s statue OF that distinguished man. modelled in
- Through the efforts of Martin II Cylvnn
r,issloner from this State ar the Louisiana P1lr
.hsse Exposition. the statue has been secured for
~. Albany Institute Historical and Art Society
- .he legislature win be asked TO show it's an
.,iariou of Joseph Henry's worth and service to
civilization by pFof1alng ior ITS reproduction IN
bronze.
,, Is proposed 20 place this permanent monument
- the real inventor OF the electric telegraph in
o-s al the most conspicuous places in the city
The statue. designed by Flanagan represents Henry
s he appeared in 1850. two years before his re-
rsovsl 70 Princeton where he was a professor in
.he college and sixteen years before his election
a. secretary OF the Smithsonian Institution In
washington. post lie held until his death IN 1873
Il was while he was teacher IN the Albany In
etitute that his historic experiments were con-
6ucfed Hence this city has unique claim TO the
glory Of producing such genius. and at the same
tine IS the most appropriate scene for whatever
homage The Empire State IS disposed TO pay him
Joseph EenTy's grandparents on both his fathers
and mothers side came 10 this country from Scot
snd in I775, and settled near Albany. When he
was shout years old he went to live with his
maternal grandmother at Galway. Saratoga County
His father. William Henry, died shcrtly after this
The attended the district school at Galway until
he ten years old. when he started working in
Brodericks village store. lie was lad at this time
of handsome face, slender figure. delicate com
plexon and yivacioUs temper and was a great
viii -uFpC -1,g
an escaped rabbit he craWled under the church and
noticing light followed IL Up, only TO find the
library. lie picked Up a book-Brooke's Fool Of
Quality and soon became interested in it This
aroused his interest in fiction. and from that day
on be reac great amount of IT, When fifteen
wears olo ne returned 10 Albany and entered
vatchrakeI tslaellshrneIt- At this age he be-
c2me su uost interested II the stage and spent all
ms spare money N theatrical amusements. He
and became an active member.
Later, Young Henry. while detained indoors by a
or Exre-lmental T5hiiosophv- AsfTo1omv and
Chemistry. which was tbs first work 10 arouse his
soon exhausted the lore OF its master. Then he
encountered a teacher OF English grammar. and be
FragtIcaI tour thToge he La fsts ne stsT5sa f v 2a
York On his return he entered the Albany
During The time he attended he sISs1v Aced
erry he taught in q district scbool - oTde-
mat he might pay his way. Later he became a
priTzts tutor IN the Van Rensselaer, family Then
ne Huoson River 10 Lake Erie, which took 2 num-
Der ot years. = short time after this he accepted
ne chair OF mathematics and philosophy at the
Albany Academy where he carried some Of the
experiments which led TO his discoveries.
Professor Henry made contributions 10 science IN
electricity, electro-rlagn gnetism meteorology capil-
lsTty. acoustics and IL other branches OF physics
he published valuable memoirs OF the transactions
q various learned societies Of which he was a
member sno devoted years Of his life 70 max
iHg the Smithsonian Institution what IT'S founder
Intended II 10 be, an efficient instrument for the
increase and dlnusion Of knowledge among men. %
What ArcEir1e5es was 10 the lever. Newton
grsvtation. Watt 10 stean-that was Henry 10
electromagnetic force.