Biographical History

John Smith (1752-1809) was a professor of languages at Dartmouth College.

John Smith was born on December 21, 1752, in Rowley, Massachusetts. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1773. After graduation he became preceptor in Moor's Charity School for one year. From 1774 to 1778, he was a tutor at the College and received his MA in 1776. In 1777, Smith became the first professor of learned languages appointed by the trustees of Dartmouth College and in 1779, added librarian to his duties. In 1788, Smith became a trustee of the College. In 1803, the Hebrew Grammar that he wrote during his junior year at Dartmouth was published. Other grammars including one on the Chaldee language, Latin and Greek were never published during his lifetime. Smith was also an associate pastor of the Church of Christ at Dartmouth College until 1787, after which he became sole pastor until 1804, serving not only the congregation of Hanover but also that of the Church at the Four Corners in Dothan. As a pastor he introduced the practice of giving commencement sermons to the Senior Class on the Sunday before Commencement Day. Smith died in 1809.

Citation:

His The duty, advantages, and pleasure of public worship, 1795: t.p. (John Smith, A.M. professor of the learned languages, at said college; Dartmouth College)

Chapman, G.T. Sketches of the alumni of Dartmouth Coll., 1867 (John Smith; grad. 1773; professor of languages at Dartmouth and pastor of the Presbyterian Church there; b. 12/21/1752; d. 4/30/1809)

Rauner Library website for John Smith papers (MS-1266), via WWW, Aug. 8, 2019 (John Smith; b. Dec. 21, 1752, in Rowley, Mass.; graduated from Dartmouth College, 1773; after graduation, became preceptor in Moor's Charity School for one year; 1774-1778, tutor at College, received his MA in 1776; 1777, Smith became first professor of learned languages appointed by trustees of Dartmouth College; 1779, became librarian in addition to his duties; 1788, became a trustee of the College; 1803, Hebrew Grammar that he wrote during his junior year at Dartmouth was published; other grammars, including Chaldee, Latin, and Greek never published during his lifetime; associate pastor of Church of Christ at Dartmouth College until 1787; sole pastor, 1787-1804, served the congregation of Hanover, and at Four Corners in Dothan; introduced the practice of giving commencement sermons to Senior Class on Sunday before Commencement; d. 1809)

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