Ms. Burleigh talked about her book, The Stranger and the Statesman: James Smithson, John Quincy Adams, and the Making of America's Greatest Museum: The Smithsonian, published by William Morrow. The author described the life of 19th-century British scientist and philanthropist James Smithson, who donated his library, mineral collection and fortune to the United States "for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men". She also discussed the founding of the Smithsonian Institution. After her presentation she answered audience members' questions.