Smith, Henry Louis, 1859-1951

Henry Louis Smith, 1859-1951, was born in Greensboro, N.C. He graduated from Davidson College in 1881. He accepted a position of the faculty of Davidson College in 1886 and began graduate work at the University of Virginia. Smith taught physics and astronomy and was superintendent of grounds and buildings. While a professor, Smith performed the first X-ray experiment in the U.S. in 1896. Smith was president of Davidson College from 1901 to 1912 and president of Washington and Lee University from 1912 to 1929.

During his presidencies, Smith increased the enrollment, enlarged the faculty and physical facilities, and increased endowments of both schools. During World War I, his plan for a propaganda campaign using balloons was adopted and Woodrow Wilson later credited Smith with helping to shorten the war. In 1929, he retired and moved back to Greensboro where he remained active in civic and religious affairs until his heath in 1951.

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