Order of James Smithson

Awards and Medals

Media Fact Sheet

September 29, 2025

James Smithson medal, ribbon and medal against black background

Named for the founding donor of the Smithsonian Institution, the Order of James Smithson celebrates donors who have made transformative contributions to the Institution. The Smithsonian’s guiding purpose, "For the Increase and Diffusion of Knowledge," is transcribed on the medal given to recipients of this prestigious award. Since the Board of Regents established the Order in 1983, it has been awarded only 14 times.

The Smithsonian National Board proposes nominees for the Order of James Smithson to the Secretary, who notifies the nominees of their election. The members are then formally instated by the Board of Regents and honored by the Institution. Recipients include:

2025 - Coralyn Wright Whitney
2024 - Roger Sant
2023 - Elizabeth Sutton MacMillan
2023 - Robert P. Kogod
2021 - Adrienne B. Mars
2006 - Fred W. Smith
2002 - Dorothy G. Lemelson
2000 - Steven F. Udvar-Hazy
1999 - Ikuo Hirayama
1998 - Kenneth E. Behring
1985 - Sarah Roby
1984 - S. Dillon Ripley
1984 - Enid A. Haupt
1984 - Arthur M. Sackler