Background
Smith, Luther Wesley was born on April 19, 1897 in Melrose, Massachusetts, United States. Son of Wesley Lorenzo and Harriet (Swan) Smith.
Smith, Luther Wesley was born on April 19, 1897 in Melrose, Massachusetts, United States. Son of Wesley Lorenzo and Harriet (Swan) Smith.
Bachelor of Arts, Harvard, 1920, Bachelor of Divinity, Newton Theological Institution, 1923. Doctor of Divinity, Syracuse University, 1938. Doctor Humanities, Keuka College, Keuka Park, New York, 1947.
Doctor of Laws, Franklin College, Franklin, Indiana, 1948.
Honorary Doctor of Divinity, Denison University, 1950.
Ordained ministry, Baptist Church, 1923. Pastor First Church, Columbia, Missouri, 1923-1934, First Church, Syracuse, New York, 1934-1938. President Missouri Baptist Ministers’ Conference, 1933-1934.
Executive secretary American Baptist Public Society, 1938-1956.
Executive secretary American Baptist Board Education, 1941-1956. Consultant secretary American Baptist Board Edition and Publication, 1956-1963.
Founder, executive secretary American Baptist Assembly Green Lake, Wisconsin, 1944-1956, adviser board of trustees, 1956-1971. Honorary director American Baptist Christian Higher Education Challenge Program, 1959-1960.
Honorary chairman American Baptist Convention, Philadelphia, 1962.
Member executive committee Baptist World Alliance, 1939-1955. Member Executive Committee General Commission Chaplains Armed Service Personnel United States of America, 1941-1954. Chairman Board of Trustees of the International Council Religious Education, 1942-1950.
Chairman of the executive board division of Christian education National Council Churches of Christ in United States of America, 1950-1954.
National director American Baptist World Mission Crusade, 1945-1947. Trustee Atlanta University, Spelman College, Benedict College, 1938-1967.
Served as ensign United States Naval Reserve Force, World War I. Member of Phi Beta Kappa. Club: Rotary.
Married Harriet Vaughan, June 15, 1928. Children: Luther Wesley, Harriet Ann, Laura Vaughan.