University of Maryland Baltimore Dental School - Mirror Yearbook (Baltimore, MD)

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Even at this early date, 1901, he was suffering from what was evidcntally to prove a fatal malody, and only his force of character and indomitable determination and grit enabled him on many occasions to begin and cheerfully perform the exacting duties of a day following a sleepless night. After leaving the hospital Dr. Smith was appointed Demonstrator of Anatomy in the College of Physicians and Sur- geons and Lecturer on Anatomy in the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, thus beginning what was to prove a con- spicuously successful career as a medicine teacher. His work in this department at the P. S. was of such a character that he was soon afterwards made Professor of Anatomy, a position he held until his failing health made it necessary to resign and to confine himself to the less arduous duties at the Dental College. In practice Dr. Smith achieved success from the start and only his impared health and early demise prevented him from building up the large practice which his preeminent qualifications and pleasing personality would have undoubted- ly brought him. It frequently fell to my lot during the last years of his life to take charge of his patients for him and no one knows better than myself to what an unusual degree he had endeared himself to them and what an amount of con- fidence they reposed in his ability. But it is as a teacher of Anatomy that he is best known to the Alumni and students of this college and they join with those of the P. S. in saying that a more efficient and tireless instructor they have never known His lectures always showed careful and thoughtful preparation which reflected his earnestness. He worked cheerfully and ceaselessly Iiim- self and deemed his students worthy of his best efforts. The effect of such an influence was to awaken them to increased work and a willingness to do their share of the work to be done. His earnestness was without rigidity. The kindness of his smile, his faculty of illustration, a keen sense of humor and his cordial nature made an attentive listener of every student Few possess as he did the faculty of presenting a subject so concisely and clearly and the ability of driving it home more forcibly. Not alone in medicine was Dr. Smith strongly equipped but in the various collateral branches his accomplisliments showed a symmetrical development. He was deeply interested in athletics of all kinds and was one of the best tennis S

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In Memoriam. DR. William F. Smith died in Baltimore on April 14, 1903, of pneumonia; the termination of a protracted period of ill health due to renal calculi. Dr. Smith was born in London Co., Va., October 6, J 864; but at an early age moved to this city where he received his education, graduating from the Baltimore City College in the class of 1883 in which he was the winner of one of the Peabody prizes. He immediately entered the Johns Hopkins University, secur- ing a scholarship after a competitive examination. Here he took the chemico-biological course to pre- pare himself for the study of medicine. In 1886 he received his A. B. degree being one of the honor men of his class. After leaving the university he taught for one session at the McDonough School, near Baltimore, and in 1887 matricu- lated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons where he received his degree in 1889; standing second in his class. He was immediately appointed Resident Physician of the Baltimore City Hospital; a position he held for two years. It was the writer ' s good fortune to be a fellow student with Dr. Smith during his Senior year at the P. S. where he was regarded as a student of exceptional ability and on whose clear judgement and excellent advise the younger students often relied. He was conspicuously successful as resident physician at the City Hospital. During his incumbency the new hospital opened and by his executive ability, tact and tireless energy he was of untold service to the Sisters and faculty in starting it on a successful career. It was my good fortune to serve under Jiim at this institution during his second year and I shall never cease to be grateful for the help and instruction which he so cheerfully and constantly gave me. The patients were deeply attached to him and his departure was an occasion of genuine regret to them as well as to the Sisters.

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players in the city. In whist his mental acamen and wonderful judgment made him one of the best known players throughout the entire land and as a member of the local club he helped to win valuable trophies on many occasions. When one realizes that for years he was a constant sufferer from a disease which he recognized would be ultimately fatal it is little short of miraculous the amount of work he accomplished. Popular alike with student, patient and friend, his friendship was sought and valued. The student has lost a teacher of rare excellence,the patient a true physician and counseller and his friends one whom they esteemed for all that goes to make a man lovable and esteemed. No one ever had a keener conception of duty and few have ever strived more earnestly to fulfill its every requirement. ' hf4