Francis Henney Smith

Background

Smith, Francis Henney was born on October 18, 1812. Son of Francis and Ann (Marsden) Smith.

Education

Graduated from the United States Military Academy, 1833.

Career

Teacher, geography, history and ethics United States Military Academy, 1835, resigned from United States Army, 1836. Professor mathematics Hampden-Sydney (Virginia) College, 1836-1839, principal professor, 1839. Superintendent Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, 1840-1889, arranged system of instruction exchange with Washington College (now Washington and Lee University), 1840-1846, recommended expansion of Institute into general scientific school, 1859.

Founder Episcopal Church, Lexington.

Colonel Virginia Militia, commanding officer at John Brown’s execution. Member Virginia Government"s Advisory Board, 1861.

Commissioned major general Virginia Volunteers, Confederate Army, 1861, in command Craney Island, Virginia. Returned to head Virginia Military Institute, 1862, urged immediate rebuilding and reorganization (after destruction of Institute in Civil War), 1865, opposed classic education prevalent before war, emphasized program of practical studies.

Author series of mathematics textbooks including An Elementary Treatise on Analytical Geometry, 1840.

Achievements

• Francis Henney Smith has been listed as a noteworthy army officer, educator by Marquis Who's Who.

Membership

Member Virginia Government"s Advisory Board, 1861.

Connections

Married Sarah Henderson, 1834, 7 children.

Father:

Francis Smith

Mother:

Ann (Marsden) Smith

Spouse:

Sarah Henderson