DOI article:
Merriam, John, C.: The Carnegie Institution of Washington
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.57254#0524
THE CARNEGIE INSTITUTION OF WASHINGTON
By
Dr. JOHN C. MERRIAM
President of Carnegie Institution of Washington, D.C.
THE Carnegie Institution of Washington was founded by Andrew Carnegie in
January 1902. A second and revised charter from the Congress of the United
States was effective as of May 1904. The Institution is organized under a board
of twenty-four trustees, with an executive Committee meeting frequently through
the year for consideration of policies and specific plans for conduct of research.
The founding of the Carnegie Institution of Washington by Mr. Carnegie was
of peculiar significance as an influence directing attention toward the idea that
there is an important field for special effort through adding to knowledge, as con-
trasted with the restatement or transmission of knowledge. The decision to establish
an agency for the specific purposes expressed in the Carnegie Institution did not
indicate that such activities are either more or less important than educational
work. It presented rather a coordinate or supplementary program, which in its
Operation would naturally gear itself closely to institutions designed initially for
the work of education, or for special application of knowledge.
Research had already given clear indication of its Superlative importance to
luture civilization through rapidly increasing demonstration of the fact that avail-
able Information regarding ourselves and the world about us is only a part of
what may he obtained. The idea of pioneering, or of exploration, in the field of
knowledge as an activity of such intrinsic importance as to warrant its special
support received exceptional emphasis through Mr. Carnegie’s contribution.
Established to encourage “investigation, research, and discovery, and the
application of knowledge to the improvement of mankind,” the methods defmed
for conduct of business of the Corporation were stated in such terms as to permit
the doing of whatever might seem properly to advance knowledge and its use
for benefit of mankind.
In the early stages of Operation, the activities of the Institution were directed
toward support of a relatively wide ränge of subjects, and the grants were com-
monly for specific projects and for limited periods. An important Stimulus to
constructive work in many types of agencies seems to have resulted. In time the
tendency developed to direct effort toward certain major projects the solution
of which required longer periods and greater opportunity for concentration of
funds. This movement led to the origin of departments devoted each to its
specific subject and under leadership of an investigator bringing exceptional
vision and ability. It had become clear that in the elaboration of knowledge many
Problems of first importance had already attained such complication that their
study could he conducted effectively only through the united and concentrated
work of groups of individuals. The departments which arose were dedicated to
the study of great questions, and gave to groups of individuals the opportunity
to advance knowledge in a cooperative effort presenting exceptional possibilities
to all engaged in the program.
506
By
Dr. JOHN C. MERRIAM
President of Carnegie Institution of Washington, D.C.
THE Carnegie Institution of Washington was founded by Andrew Carnegie in
January 1902. A second and revised charter from the Congress of the United
States was effective as of May 1904. The Institution is organized under a board
of twenty-four trustees, with an executive Committee meeting frequently through
the year for consideration of policies and specific plans for conduct of research.
The founding of the Carnegie Institution of Washington by Mr. Carnegie was
of peculiar significance as an influence directing attention toward the idea that
there is an important field for special effort through adding to knowledge, as con-
trasted with the restatement or transmission of knowledge. The decision to establish
an agency for the specific purposes expressed in the Carnegie Institution did not
indicate that such activities are either more or less important than educational
work. It presented rather a coordinate or supplementary program, which in its
Operation would naturally gear itself closely to institutions designed initially for
the work of education, or for special application of knowledge.
Research had already given clear indication of its Superlative importance to
luture civilization through rapidly increasing demonstration of the fact that avail-
able Information regarding ourselves and the world about us is only a part of
what may he obtained. The idea of pioneering, or of exploration, in the field of
knowledge as an activity of such intrinsic importance as to warrant its special
support received exceptional emphasis through Mr. Carnegie’s contribution.
Established to encourage “investigation, research, and discovery, and the
application of knowledge to the improvement of mankind,” the methods defmed
for conduct of business of the Corporation were stated in such terms as to permit
the doing of whatever might seem properly to advance knowledge and its use
for benefit of mankind.
In the early stages of Operation, the activities of the Institution were directed
toward support of a relatively wide ränge of subjects, and the grants were com-
monly for specific projects and for limited periods. An important Stimulus to
constructive work in many types of agencies seems to have resulted. In time the
tendency developed to direct effort toward certain major projects the solution
of which required longer periods and greater opportunity for concentration of
funds. This movement led to the origin of departments devoted each to its
specific subject and under leadership of an investigator bringing exceptional
vision and ability. It had become clear that in the elaboration of knowledge many
Problems of first importance had already attained such complication that their
study could he conducted effectively only through the united and concentrated
work of groups of individuals. The departments which arose were dedicated to
the study of great questions, and gave to groups of individuals the opportunity
to advance knowledge in a cooperative effort presenting exceptional possibilities
to all engaged in the program.
506