David Paige Smith facts for kids

David Paige Smith (born October 1, 1830 – died December 26, 1880) was a very important professor at the Yale Medical School. He was so respected that a special teaching position, called the David Paige Smith professorship, is named after him at the school. He was known for his skills as a surgeon and his dedication to medicine.

Early Life and Family Connections

David Paige Smith was born in Westfield, Massachusetts on October 1, 1830. He was the oldest son of James M. Smith, who was also a doctor (M.D. stands for Doctor of Medicine). His grandfather was Nathan Smith, who was also a famous doctor. Nathan Smith was actually the very first professor of medicine at the Yale Medical Institution.

When David was about eight years old, his family moved to Baltimore, Maryland. A few years later, around 1841, they moved back to Springfield, Massachusetts. From Springfield, David went to Yale College. He finished his studies there and graduated in 1851.

Medical Training and Early Career

After graduating from Yale, David Paige Smith decided to follow in his family's footsteps and become a doctor. He studied medicine at the Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. He also learned a lot from his father, who was a practicing doctor.

Sadly, in 1853, his father passed away in a train accident in Norwalk, Connecticut. David graduated from medical school in March 1854. He then took over his father's medical practice in Springfield, Massachusetts. In the same year, he married Eunice S. Brewer. In 1860, he traveled to Europe. He spent a year there studying new medical and surgical techniques.

Service During the Civil War

When David Paige Smith returned from Europe, the American Civil War had begun. He joined the Union Army and became a surgeon for the 18th Massachusetts Infantry regiment. A surgeon is a doctor who performs operations.

He quickly showed great skill and was promoted. He became the Medical Director for General George Henry Thomas's division. This meant he was in charge of all the medical care for that group of soldiers. After a series of battles known as the Peninsula Campaign, he was put in charge of a hospital. This hospital was located at Fairfax Seminary, near Alexandria, Virginia.

While working at the hospital, David Paige Smith provided excellent care to many soldiers. His work there was very important and helped him become a highly skilled surgeon. This experience prepared him for many difficult operations later in his career.

Return to Civilian Practice and Yale

After the Civil War ended, David Paige Smith went back to his medical practice in Springfield. He quickly became one of the most respected doctors in his area. In 1873, he was asked to become a professor at the Yale Medical School. This was a special honor because he was given the same teaching position his grandfather, Nathan Smith, had held many years before.

In 1877, he moved to a different teaching role at Yale. He became a professor of surgery, which he enjoyed even more. His work at Yale was very valuable to the school. Even though he taught at Yale, he continued to live in Springfield.

David Paige Smith worked very hard and put a lot of energy into his medical practice. This intense work may have made it harder for him to fight off sickness. He caught a chill during a drive to a nearby town. He did not get treatment for it soon enough. David Paige Smith passed away in Springfield on December 26, 1880. He was 50 years old. His wife survived him, but their only child, a son, had passed away in 1873.

Legacy and Contributions

David Paige Smith left a lasting impact on medicine and Yale University. In his will, he gave his large collection of medical books and valuable surgical tools to Yale College. He also arranged for a large part of his estate to be used for a special fund. This fund was created to support the professorship of the Theory and Practice of Medicine at Yale. This shows how dedicated he was to helping future doctors learn and grow.

 This article incorporates public domain material from the 1881 Yale Obituary Record.