Edgar Fahs Smith papers Ms. Coll. 112 Finding aid prepared by Donna Brandolisio. Last updated on April 09, 2020. University of Pennsylvania, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts 1997 Edgar Fahs Smith papers Table of Contents Summary Information....................................................................................................................................3 Biography/History..........................................................................................................................................4 Scope and Contents....................................................................................................................................... 7 Administrative Information........................................................................................................................... 7 Controlled Access Headings..........................................................................................................................8 Collection Inventory...................................................................................................................................... 9 Correspondence........................................................................................................................................9 Writings of Edgar Fahs Smith...............................................................................................................86 Memorabilia........................................................................................................................................... 87 Published writings: Printed pamphlets and journals............................................................................. 87 About Smith...........................................................................................................................................87 Research................................................................................................................................................. 88 Receipts.................................................................................................................................................. 88 Miscellaneous.........................................................................................................................................88 Miscellaneous memorabilia................................................................................................................... 89 Notebooks...............................................................................................................................................90 Typed manuscripts.................................................................................................................................91 Bound volumes and notebooks regarding Smith's work at the University of Pennsylvania................. 91 Scrapbooks — Memorabilia..................................................................................................................92 Scrapbooks — Clippings.......................................................................................................................93 - Page 2 - Edgar Fahs Smith papers Summary Information Repository University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts Creator Smith, Edgar F. (Edgar Fahs), 1854-1928 Title Edgar Fahs Smith papers Call number Ms. Coll. 112 Date circa 1870-1940 Extent 110 boxes Language English Abstract The papers comprise Smith's personal and business correspondence, including exchanges with the United States Army Chemical Warfare Service regarding the use of chemical weapons in World War I; notebooks of his chemical research; bound lectures from his teaching; biographical material; personal photographs; pamphlets written by Smith; memorabilia that includes awards and certificates; and clippings. The bulk of the correspondence with Smith runs from 1877 until his death in 1928; correspondence dated after 1928 is addressed to his widow, Margie A. Smith. Cite as: Edgar Fahs Smith Papers, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania - Page 3 - Edgar Fahs Smith papers Biography/History Preserving the history of chemistry was one of the many passions in Edgar Fahs Smith's multifaceted career. Educator, administrator, and scientist are just a few of the titles that Smith claimed throughout his life. Politics, writing, philosophy, and religion also occupied much of his career. According to George H. Meeker's biography, Smith's "current of life events flowed quietly, smoothly, deeply; with no excesses of conduct, joys, sorrows, successes, failures--a model of good human life-stream." 1 Seemingly Smith's life did flow smoothly: he was raised in the Moravian faith -- a strong force throughout his life, by what all accounts appeared to be loving and watchful parents. He later married a woman who was a devoted companion. All of his successes appeared to emerge effortlessly throughout his long and distinguished career. The papers of Edgar Fahs Smith reveal a man who was intelligent, generous, and ethical. Born 23 May 1854, Edgar Fahs Smith was the eldest child of Gibson Smith and Elizabeth Fahs (Smith). Younger brother Allen John Smith was born nine years later in 1863. Smith was raised in York, Pennsylvania, where his father Gibson Smith was a grain, wood, and coal merchant. Smith attended private grammar school prior to entering York County Academy, a college preparatory school, in 1867. He completed his education at the Academy in 1872, where he acquired a keen interest in classics and humanities. During Smith's years at the Academy, he gained the reputation for being an extraordinary pupil. While at the Academy, Smith was permitted to teach Latin to younger students because of his proficiency in the subject.2 At the age of seventeen he founded and wrote a publication entitled Our Effort (see Box 62). July 1871 was the first printing of the publication. The front page states: "Our Effort is printed every month at the low rate of 50 cents a year, in advance" . This ambitious but modest publication included sections entitled: "Science" , including items on natural science; "Biography," with brief essays on famous men of history and literature; "Our Knotty Corner," which was a section of puzzles and riddles; and "Miscellaneous" , which included poetry and short essays. The purpose of the publication as Smith expounds in the first issue was to "aid as much as possible in the forwarding of science, the love of which has incited us to such an important undertaking" . So it seems that Smith, from his earliest days at the Academy, was devoted to the history of science. Smith was planning to enter Yale University upon the completion of his studies at York Academy, but a chance trip took him to Gettysburg with a classmate, who was applying to Pennsylvania College (now known as Gettysburg College). Smith was examined by the college and told that because of his advanced knowledge and education he could enter the institution as a junior. Smith found this to be a excellent opportunity and began his college education at Pennsylvania College in the fall of 1872. He majored in chemistry and mineralogy under the tutelage of Dr. Samuel Philip Sadtler. Smith received his Bachelor of Science degree from Pennsylvania College in 1874. Dr. Sadtler, who befriended Smith, encouraged him to further his knowledge of chemistry by entering the University of Göttingen in Hanover, Germany.3 Through the encouragement of Dr. Sadtler, Smith's parents consented to the trip abroad for further study. In Germany at the University of Göttingen, Smith studied under Friedrich Wöhler (1800-1882). Wöhler, a famous chemist, proved that organic compounds could be synthesized from inorganic materials, thus laying the foundation for modern or ganic chemistry.4 In addition, Wöhler isolated aluminum in 1827 and - Page 4 - Edgar Fahs Smith papers beryllium and yttrium in 1828. Smith received his doctorate from the University of Göttingen in 1876 and returned home to marry Margie Alice Gruel. Smith met Margie Gruel during his last year of study at Pennsylvania College. Since he was going to study in Germany, they decided to delay their nuptials until his return to the United States. In 1876, the year he returned home from Germany, Smith and Gruel were married. They appeared, from correspondence between the two, to be a loving, supportive, and happy pair. Margie and Edgar seemed to have a mutual respect and understanding for one another. The couple had no children and were married fifty -two years. The same year that Smith received his doctorate and married Margie, he was appointed instructor of chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania. He achieved status of professor at the University in 1888. This was the beginning of an extensive and dist inguished career with the University of Pennsylvania. Smith taught chemistry at Penn for forty-four years, served as vice-provost from 1898 to 1911, and provost from 1911 to 1920. Letters from students indicate that Smith was not only a knowledgeable in structor but also helped and followed them in later professional endeavors. Smith was elected Vice-Provost in 1898, under the administration of Provost (1894-1910) Charles Custis Harrison (1844-1929) and witnessed one of the largest building expansions at the University of Pennsylvania. Some of the buildings worthy of note erected under the Provostship of Harrison