William Smyth

Background

He was born on February 2, 1797 at Pittston, Maine, United States, the son of Caleb and Abia (Colburn) Smyth. In William's childhood his father moved to Wiscasset; he was a shipbuilder and also taught music.

Education

In 1820 William entered Bowdoin College as a junior. Here he pursued his course against great obstacles, for his sight had been so much impaired that he was obliged to have his lessons read to him by his roommate. Nevertheless he took the lead of an able class and graduated with the English valedictory in 1822. Later, he spent a year at Andover Theological Seminary.

Career

During the War of 1812 young Smyth entered the army and gave his bounty to his mother. His service consisted in acting as secretary to his colonel; it is said he was never in his life able to fire a gun.

After leaving the army he became a clerk at Wiscasset and prepared himself to teach. His parents died when he was eighteen and to support a younger brother and sister he opened and taught a private school. Two years later he became an assistant at Gorham Academy. He also supported a younger brother in college, though often at his wit's end even for the bare necessities of life.

After graduation he returned to Bowdoin College as instructor in Greek. Although Greek was his specialty, he soon was obliged also to take on instruction in mathematics. It is recorded that he introduced the use of the blackboard and made his course so interesting that many requested the privilege of reviewing their algebra under the new method.

On succeeding to the professorship of mathematics in 1828 he began a series of textbooks. The earliest of these were Elements of Algebra and Elements of Analytic Geometry, both published in 1830. They were followed by others on the same subjects and on trigonometry and calculus.

In his later life Smyth showed unusual public spirit. He died on April 4, 1868.

Achievements

• William Smyth has been listed as a noteworthy educator, reformer by Marquis Who's Who.

Works

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• book

  • Treatise on Algebra, for the Use of Schools and Colleges

    ( This work has been selected by scholars as being cultur...)

  • Elements of Plane Trigonometry

    ( This work has been selected by scholars as being cultur...)

  • Elements of Analytic Geometry or the Application of Algebra to Geometry Adapted to the Course of Instruction in the American Colleges

Religion

A devoted member and officer of the Congregationalist Church of Brunswick.

Views

He was a vigorous supporter of the temperance movement and an opponent of slavery, his home being a station on the "underground railroad" for forwarding escaped slaves to Canada.

What were then liberal educational movements had his earnest support. He was also much interested in public education.

Personality

Smyth was an admirable example of the college professor of the old school, a competent scholar, an able teacher, precise, simple, clear, a man greatly interested not merely in his students but in his community and in his state.

Connections

He was married in 1827 to Harriet Porter Coffin; they had six children, two of whom were Egbert and Newman.

Father:

Caleb Smyth

Mother:

Abia (Colburn) Smyth

Spouse:

Harriet Porter Coffin

Son:

Egbert Smyth

Son:

Newman Smyth