17 February 1824 --- 28 February 1903, age 79
Assistant Professor of Mathematics, USMA, 1846-1848 & 1855-1856.
He was Principal Assistant Professor of Mathematics in 1855-1856 but asked to be relieved because he had recurring malaria.
"Before he had entirely recovered he was ordered to West Point, as principal Assistant Professor of Mathematics. This was in 1855, but his illness had so seriously affected his head as to make it impossible for him to discharge the duties of his position in a manner satisfactory to himself. As one of his pupils, I failed to deiscover any lack of knowledge or prespicacity [sic] on his part. To the contrary, he impressed the sections which he had charge of as a very clear-headed man with remarkable powers of mind and great aptitude as a teacher. It is now known, however, that the close attention and the mental exertion which his duties required of him gave him such pain as to make it imperative that he should be relieved, and this was done at his own request at the end of a year's hard work and suffering." [Annual Reunion, June 10th, 1903, p. 151, James Harrison Wilson. This is a very long obituary.]
"Baldy" Smith was his nickname.
Obituaries:
Cullum #1234. B-VT: TopEngrs: Asst Prof Math USMA 46-48 & 55-56:
Cops Cdr VA
Campaigns: MG USV 62: 4Bvts MG: Resd67 MAJ: Pres Internatl Telegraph
Co 64-73: Police
Comm NYC 75-81: Reapt MAJ Ret 89(Act of Cong): D-Phil PA 28Feb03 a-79:
DAB: Ob-AR
03. [From 1990 Register of Graduates]
References:
On the web: