Smith, Robert Holbrook, 1879-1950

Robert Holbrook Smith, known simply as "Dr. Bob" in the AA community, was born on August 8, 1879 in St. Johnsbury, VT, the only son of Judge and Mrs. W.P. Smith. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1902 and three years later entered the University of Michigan as a premed student. In 1910, after further training at Rush Memorial College in Chicago, he received his medical degree and secured an internship in City Hospital, Akron, Ohio. In 1912, he began his career as a medical doctor and surgeon. He married Anne Ripley in 1915. They had two children, Susan and Robert.

Smith was an active member of the City Hospital staff in Akron, Ohio, and had frequent contacts with nearby St. Thomas Hospital, where in 1928 he met Sister Ignatia who later became an influential person in Smith's work with recovering alcoholics. Later, in 1935, he became professionally associated with St. Thomas Hospital and in 1943 became a member of its permanent active staff.

...