Albany Bicentennial Tablet No. 44 – Joseph Henry

In 1914, The Albany Argus noted a number of bicentennial markers that for some reason were not included in the Albany Bi-centennial Committee’s official list published in 1886. This one, though is unfamiliar to us – the Argus reported it was on the south wall of the Albany Academy. Thanks to intrepid correspondent Paula Lemire for providing us with an up-to-date photo of the marker, which we personally never noticed.

The Argus listed the text as follows:

Joseph Henry. Joseph Henry, an eminent discoverer and leader in science. Born in Albany, 1799. Died in Washington, 1888. His experiments in electricity were made in this building while professor of mathematics, 1826-1832. In 1846 he was appointed the first secretary and director of the Smithsonian Institution. To his discoveries in electro-magnetism the world is indebted, more than to any other man, for the possession of the telegraph.

The status of Joseph Henry also has a lengthy inscription (listed here in the Historic Marker Database).

We’ve written about Joseph Henry before.

Paula Lemire also favored us with the plaque on the north side of the building:

This tablet, apparently placed in honor of the centenary of the birth of Philip Ten Eyck, M.D., reads:

Philip Ten Eyck, M.D.
Born March 10, 1902. Died July 15, 1898. Albany Academy, 1815. Hamilton College, 1820.
Friend of and co-worker with Joseph Henry, in his experiments in electro-magnetism 1826-1832 and his successor as professor of mathematics and natural philosophy in the Albany Academy, 1832-1848.
“A series of experiments were instituted jointly by Dr. Philip Ten Eyck, and myself.” Joseph Henry.
(American Journal of Science and Arts 1831.)
Memorial Tablet from Citizens of Albany March 10, 1902.

In response to our post on Facebook, Mary Bailey Rogers was kind enough to share a stained glass window from the First Presbyterian Church at State and Willett Streets depicting Joseph Henry:

She notes that Henry was baptized at First Presbyterian’s second location, at South Pearl and Beaver streets – which we’ve written about before.