Rev. William Smith, D. D.. first Provost of the College of Philadelphia, later the University of Pennsylvania, was born at Aberdeen, Scotland, September 7. 1727, and came of a noble English family. His ancestry as entered of record at the University of Aberdeen, his alma mater, was as follows: ...
... Dr. William Smith entered the University of Aberdeen in 1741. and received his degree there, after the prescribed term of six years, in 1747. The next three years were spent in teaching, preparation for the ministry and careful study of the best methods of teaching useful knowledge. The year 1750 was spent in London, where his first articles on educational topics were published. March 3, 1751. he embarked for New York, and landed there on May 1. He became acquainted with the family of Thomas Martin, of Long Island, and was selected by Martin as tutor for his children and remained there until August, 1753.
During the last year of his tutorship, he published a pamphlet entitled "A General Idea of the College of Mirania," written for the purpose of demonstrating his views of the requirements of an institution of learning in a new country. It attracted considerable attention, and came to the notice of Dr. Benjamin Franklin and a number of other Philadelphians, who were then about establishing the "Charitable School and College of Philadelphia," which ultimately became the University of Pennsylvania; and, May 25, 1853, he was tendered the position of teacher of natural philosophy, logic, etc., in the new institution. The offer was a flattering one to the enthusiastic young teacher but before accepting, he decided to return to England and take holy orders. He therefore sailed for England on October 13, 1753, and arriving in London December i, was ordained as Deacon on December 21 by the Bishop of London, and as Priest by the Bishop of Carlisle, two days later. On December 26 he started for a farewell visit to the home of his father in Aberdeen, and, December 31, preached his first sermon in the old Kirk in which he was baptized. After a few months spent in his native place, he again embarked for America and arriving in Philadelphia, May 22, 1754, was two days later inducted into the office of Provost of the College and Academy of Philadelphia, and Professor of Natural Philosophy in that institution, and took up his duties on May 25.
Dr. Smith, at once threw his whole energy into the task of building up a model institution of learning in the city of his adoption. He was foremost in collecting money for the college at home and abroad and in securing for it in the following year a libera! charter. To his earnest and untiring efforts in its behalf and the enthusiasm which these inspired in other friends of learning, the College was largely indebted for its rapid rise to a place of prominence among the institutions of this country. He became at once thoroughly American and took a deep interest in the policies and institutions of his adopted country. He edited a magazine, the best which up to that time had appeared in America, superintended the publication of several books of poems and "The History of Bouquet's Expedition against the Indians," and several other publications. Becoming secretary of the American Philosophical Society, he took a lively interest in the general promulgation of useful knowledge. No one exercised a more beneficial influence in the development of a taste for literary pursuits in the city of Philadelphia. His plan for the education of the Germans in Pennsylvania proved futile, because of the racial characteristics of this peculiar element in the settlement and civilization of the new world. In politics he was an adherent of the Proprietary party, and wrote extensively in defense of Penn's Charter in 1764, when Franklin and others wished to surrender it to the Crown. During the French and Indian Wars, he preached at least six military sermons.
In 1758 he returned to England, principally to prosecute his appeal to the Privy Council, from the judgment of the Pennsylvania Assembly, on his political conduct and that of his father-in-law, William Moore, of "Moore Hall," and was successful in his suit. While abroad he visited his alma mater, the University of Aberdeen, and received from it the degree of D. D. ; the University of Oxford also conferring upon him the same honor. In 1762 he again visited his native land, this time in behalf of his College, and in conjunction with Sir James Jay. collected £11. 873 for its benefit. On this trip the University of Dublin conferred upon him the degree of D. D.
In 1770, he went to South Carolina to collect money for the College. He was from the outset in entire accord with the opposition to the oppressive measures of Great Britain, that preceded the Revolutionary struggle, and gave the cause of the Colonies the support of his voice and pen. A number of the Trustees, patrons and faculty of the College, were, however, pronounced Tories, and the war brought serious disaster to the institution ; much of its property being confiscated and its usefulness for a time was entirely suspended. During this interval, Dr. Smith removed (in 1780) to Chestertown, Maryland, and took charge of the parish and school of Kent county ; the latter two years later growing into Washington College under his fostership. He was made Bishop of Maryland in 1783, and did much to build up the Protestant Episcopal Church in that state, as well as in the State of Pennsylvania.
In 1789 he returned to Philadelphia and succeeded in having the charter of the college restored as well as the estate belonging to it that had been confiscated. He died in Philadelphia, May 14, 1803, leaving behind him a record of half a century of loyal work in behalf of education in all that that word implies, which, in view of the difficulties encountered and surmounted, has seldom if ever been surpassed.
Dr. Smith married July 3, 1758, Rebecca, daughter of William Moore, Esq., of "Moore Hall," Chester county, Pennsylvania, by his wife, Williamina, daughter of David, fourth Earl of Wemyss, an account of whom and their ancestry is given above. Mrs. Smith was a lady of rare accomplishments and a fitting helpmeet to the distinguished scholar and divine. She died at Philadelphia, September 20, 1793.
Issue of Dr. William and Rebecca (Moore) Smith: ...
