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Article: Carnegie Institution of Washington
- Article from:
- Dictionary of American History
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CARNEGIE INSTITUTION OF WASHINGTON
CARNEGIE INSTITUTION OF WASHINGTON.
In 1901 Andrew Carnegie offered the federal government $10 million in bonds of the U.S. Steel Corporation as an endowment to finance the advancement of knowledge. His gift was declined, and he gave the money in 1902 to establish the private Carnegie Institution. In 1904 it received a congressional charter of incorporation and was renamed the Carnegie Institution of Washington. The wealthiest organization of its kind in the country, the institution was intended to encourage original research by providing opportunities to exceptional scholars and scientists. The trustees decided to accomplish this purpose by spending ...