Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890
Person
Major General Francis Henney Smith (b. 1812 d. 1890) was appointed VMI's first Superintendent in 1839. An 1833 graduate of West Point, he had previously served briefly in the U. S. Army and was a Professor of Mathematics at Hampden-Sydney College (VA) when he accepted the position as head of the newly established Virginia Military Institute. He served for fifty years, from the Institute's infancy, through the Civil War, and through the difficult post-war period. He is known as the "builder and rebuilder of VMI." Smith retired on January 1, 1890 and died only a few months later, on March 21, 1890.
Found in 20 Collections and/or Records:
Andrew Gatewood letter , 1864 April 16
Item
Scope and Contents
In camp; Gatewood's regiment presented the VMI Corps of Cadets with a captured flag; review of troops by General Smith.
Francis H. Smith European Travel Letter Books and Related, 1858
Collection
Scope and Contents
Miscellaneous Francis H. Smith and Smith family personal records. Includes 2 volumes of personal letters written while on his trip to Europe in 1858, along with a scrapbook containing engravings of places visited; misc. personal correspondence, including one letter from Scott Shipp thanking Smith for his condolences upon the death of Shipp's wife.
Francis H. Smith letter of recommendation for William D. Stuart, 1850 December 3
Item
Scope and Contents
From VMI Superintendent Francis H. Smith, endorsing Stuart's application for a commission in the U.S. Army
Francis H. Smith Personal and Biographical Material, 1858-1890; 1890 - ongoing
Series
Scope and Contents
Biographical material and miscellaneous Smith and Smith family personal papers.
Francis H. Smith Personal Papers, 1833-1890
Collection
Scope and Contents
Miscellaneous Francis H. Smith and Smith family personal records. Includes 2 volumes of personal letters written while on his trip to Europe in 1858, along with a scrapbook containing engravings of places visited; misc. personal correspondence, including one letter from Scott Shipp thanking Smith for his condolences upon the death of Shipp's wife.
Francis H. Smith speeches and publications, 1841-1879
Series
Scope and Contents
A chronological file containing originals and copies of Smith's published addresses, speeches, discourses. These were published in pamphlet form. VMI owns originals for many; for those not found in the VMI Archives, the staff obtained photocopies from the Library of Virginia.
Francis H. Smith West Point Diploma, 1833
Item
Scope and Contents
The United States Military Academy diploma awarded to Francis H. Smith in 1833. The ink is badly faded. Bears the signature of President Andrew Jackson.
Oversized case 9
Oversized case 9
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