Davidson College. President (1901-1912 : Smith)

Henry Louis Smith, 1859-1951, was a native of Greensboro, NC. He graduated from Davidson College in 1881 and the University of Virginia in 1891. He returned to Davidson as a professor of Physics in 1887 and was elected president of the College in 1901. Smith served as president until 1912. During his tenure he established an electric light plant; oversaw the construction of the Carnegie Library, the YMCA Hall, Martin Chemical Laboratory and three dormitories; and saw student enrollment grow from 137 to 340 students. He encouraged the organization of a student government and the development of an athletic field. As a scientist Smith was involved in early work with X-rays. He left Davidson in 1912 to assume the presidency of Washington and Lee University.