Title
Eugene Allen Smith, 1841-1927
Subject
College teachers
Geologists
Description
Eugene Allen Smith was professor, geologist and naturalist who traveled the state of Alabama to study its natural resources to help it recover from the devastation of the Civil War.
Eugene Allen Smith, fondly nicknamed "Little Doctor," is shown here with his family.
Eugene Allen Smith was born in Autauga County to Samuel Parrish and Adelaide Allen Smith. He attended a private school there until 1855, when he was sent o Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to attend high school. Like many Alabama boys studying in the north, he returned to Alabama in 1859 following the famous raid by abolitionist John Brown on Harper's Ferry, Virginia. He completed his studies at a private school before entering the junior class at the University of Alabama in October of 1860, earning a bachelor's degree in 1862.
Smith served in the Civil War in a battle at Perryville, Kentucky, before being sent back to the University of Alabama to teach military tactics.
After the war ended, Smith went to Germany and earned a PhD at Heidelberg University. He returned to the United States and worked at Oxford, Mississippi, as state geologist and taught chemistry at the University of Mississippi.
When the University of Alabama reopened in 1871, Smith returned to teach agricultural chemistry and mineralogy.
Smith married Jane Meredith Garland, daughter of the wartime president of the University of Alabama, Landon Garland, on July 10, 1872; they would have five children. During his years at the university, in addition to teaching, he devoted his energies to organizing the university's symphony orchestra (in which he played second violin), rebuilding the library collection, and helping found the athletic program. For Field Day each year, he organized sporting events and served as judge. An enthusiastic supporter of football and baseball, he was often photographed with the teams.
Smith encouraged the state to reinstate the position of state geologist and he was appointed to the position.
To read more about Eugene Allen Smith, go to:
http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/face/Article.jsp?id=h-3062
Eugene Allen Smith, fondly nicknamed "Little Doctor," is shown here with his family.
Eugene Allen Smith was born in Autauga County to Samuel Parrish and Adelaide Allen Smith. He attended a private school there until 1855, when he was sent o Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to attend high school. Like many Alabama boys studying in the north, he returned to Alabama in 1859 following the famous raid by abolitionist John Brown on Harper's Ferry, Virginia. He completed his studies at a private school before entering the junior class at the University of Alabama in October of 1860, earning a bachelor's degree in 1862.
Smith served in the Civil War in a battle at Perryville, Kentucky, before being sent back to the University of Alabama to teach military tactics.
After the war ended, Smith went to Germany and earned a PhD at Heidelberg University. He returned to the United States and worked at Oxford, Mississippi, as state geologist and taught chemistry at the University of Mississippi.
When the University of Alabama reopened in 1871, Smith returned to teach agricultural chemistry and mineralogy.
Smith married Jane Meredith Garland, daughter of the wartime president of the University of Alabama, Landon Garland, on July 10, 1872; they would have five children. During his years at the university, in addition to teaching, he devoted his energies to organizing the university's symphony orchestra (in which he played second violin), rebuilding the library collection, and helping found the athletic program. For Field Day each year, he organized sporting events and served as judge. An enthusiastic supporter of football and baseball, he was often photographed with the teams.
Smith encouraged the state to reinstate the position of state geologist and he was appointed to the position.
To read more about Eugene Allen Smith, go to:
http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/face/Article.jsp?id=h-3062
Source
Tuscaloosa News Archive
Date
Circa 1885
Contributor
Jennifer Spraggins (Description)
Type
Photograph
Identifier
223
Coverage
Tuscaloosa (AL)
Original Format
Photograph
Physical Dimensions
7 x 5 inches