Theobald Smith, 1859-1934

Abstract Theobald Smith, son of Philip Smith by his wife Theresa nee Kexel, was born at Albany, New York, on July 31, 1859. He was educated at public schools there and afterwards went to Cornell University, where he graduated as B.Phil. in 1881. His material circumstances being small, and failing to obtain a post as school teacher, he resolved to study medicine and went to Albany Medical College of Union University whence he graduated as M.D. in 1883, after attending the very short course then prevailing in some medical schools in the United States. He was studious and already widely read as a youth. Being possessed of the good judgement which characterized him throughout life, he was clear in his mind that his training was insufficient to qualify him as a medical practitioner. At Cornell, he worked under two remarkable teachers, Professors Gage and Wilder, with great benefit as he afterwards acknowledged.