Background
He was born on July 30, 1859 in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States, the son of Jacob Henry Smith, a Presbyterian minister, and Mary Kelly Watson Smith.
(Collected in this volume are the most distinguished addre...)
Collected in this volume are the most distinguished addresses of Smith--scientist, inventor, educator, religious leader, and humanist. He presents his philosophy of education and raises and attempts to answer some of the questions that concern young people. He also discusses the influence of science, the place of religion, and the accomplishments and needs of twentieth-century America. Originally published in 1947. A UNC Press Enduring Edition -- UNC Press Enduring Editions use the latest in digital technology to make available again books from our distinguished backlist that were previously out of print. These editions are published unaltered from the original, and are presented in affordable paperback formats, bringing readers both historical and cultural value.
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He was born on July 30, 1859 in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States, the son of Jacob Henry Smith, a Presbyterian minister, and Mary Kelly Watson Smith.
After completing secondary school in Greensboro, Smith entered Davidson College in 1877 and received the A. B. , with honors, in 1881. In 1886 he was awarded the M. A. at Davidson. He received the Ph. D. in physics at the University of Virginia in 1891.
He taught at the Selma (North Carolina) Academy until 1886 and was appointed professor of physics and astronomy at that institution. Smith was named vice-president of Davidson College in 1896 and became president in 1901.
Between 1901 and 1912, when Smith assumed the presidency of Washington and Lee University, Davidson's student body, physical plant, endowment, and annual income approximately doubled.
As president of Washington and Lee (1912 - 1930) Smith enforced higher admission requirements and greatly increased the size of the faculty, the student body, and the university's endowment. Recalling that one of the first collegiate journalism programs in the United States had been established at Washington and Lee in 1869 but abandoned in 1878, Smith was largely responsible for its revival at the university.
During the closing months of World War I, a prize was offered by the National Security League for a method whereby the German people could be informed of the true military situation and President Wilson's war aims. Smith proposed that millions of small rubber balloons, carrying information leaflets, be released in France and carried by the prevailing winds to Germany. His plan was put into practice, and Wilson later credited it with substantially shortening the war.
This Troubled Century, a collection of his articles and speeches, appeared in 1947. Physically as well as mentally, Smith remained active and alert until his death, in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Henry Louis Smith was the ninth president of Davidson College and the first president to not be an ordained Presbyterian minister. During his administration, Smith led the construction of many infrastructure projects, including the establishment of the first electric light plant in town and the construction of several dormitories and academic buildings. He also was the president of Washington and Lee University and recalled one of the first collegiate journalism programs.
(Collected in this volume are the most distinguished addre...)
He objected to narrow sectarian views on religious matters and urged interdenominational cooperation.
Calling for new scientific methods in the treatment of criminals, he rejected the use of chain gangs and harsh penitentiary methods. Smith appealed for a fairer, kinder, and more democratic attitude toward the Negro.
His outstanding characteristics were enthusiasm, persistence, and integrity.
On August 4, 1896, he married Julia Lorraine Dupuy, the daughter of a local physician; they had eight children.
