T. Parker Smith facts for kids

Theodore Parker Smith was an important educator in the United States. He helped many students learn valuable business skills. He was well-known for leading and managing business colleges, including Smith's Business College in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Early Life and Education

Theodore Parker Smith was born in Missouri. He went to Lincoln University (Pennsylvania) and finished his studies in 1888. Later, he married Clara Alexander, who was from Lynchburg, Virginia.

His Work as an Educator

Theodore Parker Smith was a true pioneer in teaching business skills, especially for African American students.

Teaching Business Skills

By 1897, Smith was already a professor at a business college in Lynchburg, Virginia. He later became the president and manager of Smith's Business College in Lynchburg. There, he taught important subjects like stenography (which is a fast way to write using shorthand) and bookkeeping (how to keep track of money for a business).

An advertisement from 1899 in a newspaper called the Richmond Planet showed that his school taught many useful courses. These included "phonographic" (shorthand), "penning" (good handwriting), "commercial" (business), and "English." In 1908, a publication praised Smith, calling him "one of the pioneers" because he was among the first to train African Americans in business.

Moving to New Schools

In 1910, Smith left his position in Lynchburg. He joined the faculty at the National Religious Training School, which later became North Carolina Central University.

By 1911, Theodore and Clara Smith had moved to Durham, North Carolina. There, he became the Dean of the Commercial Department at the school, meaning he was in charge of all the business courses. His wife, Clara, also played an important role as the head of the Teacher's Department. Theodore Smith also taught at the North Carolina State Summer School for Negro Teachers, helping other teachers improve their skills.

Later Years in Kansas City

Later in his life, Theodore and Clara Smith moved to Kansas City, Missouri. In 1933, he was unfortunately injured by a stray bullet during a bank robbery. Despite this, by 1934, Smith had opened a new Smith's Business College in Kansas City, Missouri, showing his dedication to education.

His Family

Theodore Parker Smith had children, including a daughter named Myra Lyle Smith Kearse. Myra later became the mother of Amalya Lyle Kearse, who grew up to be a very important judge.