Joseph Henry
1797–1878 · American · Antebellum America
Known for: Discovered electromagnetic self-induction; first Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution
Joseph Henry discovered self-induction before Faraday published—but delayed publication, losing priority. He was more interested in advancing science than personal fame. As the first Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, he shaped American science policy for decades.
The henry unit of inductance is named after him.
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