Educator. He was the first Superintendent of Virginia Military Institute. An 1833 graduate of the United States Military Academy, he served as an assistant Professor there from 1833 to 1836. at United State Military Academy. He then served as a Professor of mathematics at Hampden Sidney College from 1837 to 1839. He moved to Lexington, Virginia in 1839 to assist with the organization of the Virginia Military Institute, being appointed it’s first superintendent. He served in that office for then next 50 years, guiding the institution through the Civil War years. In late 1889 he retired and died just a few months later.  (bio by: S.G. Thompson)  Family links:  Parents:  Francis Smith (1761 – 1830)  Anne Marsden Smith (1778 – 1857)  Spouse:  Sara Henderson Smith (1812 – 1884)*  Children:  Anna Marsden Smith (1836 – 1846)*  Frances Henderson Smith Morrison (1838 – 1903)*  Thomas Henderson Smith (1842 – 1909)*  Francis Henney Smith (1849 – 1917)*  Sarah Ellen Smith (1852 – 1936)*  James Henderson Smith (1856 – 1889)*  Siblings:  Margaretta Smith Belton (1801 – 1860)*  James Marsden Smith (1803 – 1872)*  Francis Henney Smith (1812 – 1890) *Calculated relationship