Lawrence Small

Lawrence Small was a prominent figure in the United States museum community, serving as the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution from 2000 to 2007. During his tenure, he worked closely with National Museum of Natural History director Cristián Samper and National Air and Space Museum director John R. Dailey. Small's leadership was also influenced by his interactions with National Gallery of Art director Earl A. Powell III and Library of Congress librarian James H. Billington. His career was marked by collaborations with notable figures such as Robert McCormick Adams Jr. and I. Michael Heyman.

● Early Life and Education

Lawrence Small was born in New York City in 1941 and grew up in a family that valued education and arts. He attended Brown University, where he earned a degree in Classics and later received an MBA from Harvard Business School. Small's academic background was similar to that of David McCullough, who also studied at Yale University and Harvard University. His early interests in history and culture were shaped by the works of Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr. and Doris Kearns Goodwin. Small's educational pursuits were also influenced by the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Ford Foundation.

● Career

Before joining the Smithsonian Institution, Small had a successful career in banking and finance, working at Fannie Mae and Bank of America. He also served on the boards of The Brookings Institution and the National Museum of African Art. Small's experience in the financial sector was similar to that of Alan Greenspan, who worked at Federal Reserve and Council of Economic Advisers. His career was also influenced by his interactions with Paul Volcker and Henry Paulson. Small's work in the non-profit sector was recognized by organizations such as the American Council of Learned Societies and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

● Smithsonian Institution Leadership

As the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, Small oversaw the development of several major projects, including the National Museum of the American Indian and the National Museum of African American History and Culture. He worked closely with Congress to secure funding for these initiatives, collaborating with lawmakers such as Senator Ted Kennedy and Representative John Lewis. Small's leadership was also influenced by his interactions with National Science Foundation director Rita Colwell and National Institutes of Health director Elias Zerhouni. His tenure was marked by partnerships with organizations such as the Getty Conservation Institute and the World Wildlife Fund.

● Controversies and Resignation

Small's tenure as Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution was marked by controversy, including criticism of his compensation package and allegations of mismanagement. He faced scrutiny from Congressional committees, including the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Appropriations. Small's resignation in 2007 was preceded by a Government Accountability Office investigation and a Congressional hearing featuring testimony from Representative Brad Miller and Senator Charles Grassley. The controversy surrounding Small's leadership was also covered by media outlets such as the Washington Post and the New York Times.

● Later Life and Legacy

After his resignation from the Smithsonian Institution, Small continued to be involved in the museum community, serving on the boards of organizations such as the National Building Museum and the Corcoran Gallery of Art. His legacy as a museum administrator was recognized by the American Alliance of Museums and the International Council of Museums. Small's contributions to the cultural sector were also acknowledged by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. His work was influenced by the ideas of Marcel Breuer and I.M. Pei, and he collaborated with institutions such as the Guggenheim Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Category:American museum administrators