SONS OF TEXAS
MOTORCYCLE TOURING ASSOCIATION
SONS OF TEXAS
MOTORCYCLE TOURING ASSOCIATION
|
Ashbel Smith (1805-1886) |
|
|
|
Born August 13, 1805 in Hartford, Connecticut, Ashbel
Smith graduated from Yale in 1824 and became a doctor in 1828. After
further medical study in Europe, he decided to go to the newly
formed Republic of Texas in 1837. Here, he remained a resident for
life.
Soon after arriving in Texas, Smith was appointed
surgeon-general of the Texas Army. In spite of his medical training
and experience, however, he was tapped by the government of the
Republic mainly for more diplomatic roles. As charge d'affaires to
England and France in the early 1840's, and as secretary of state of
the Republic of Texas just prior to statehood, Smith was a strong
supporter of annexation.
After statehood, Smith participated in a number of
roles as statesman on behalf of Texas. In 1851 he served as a
commissioner from the United States to the London Industrial
Exposition. The following year he accepted the role as manager of
the first Lone Star Fair in Corpus Christi, lending a measure of
credibility to that event. Still later, in 1878, he became honorary
commissioner from Texas at the World's Exposition in Paris.
In his later years, Smith actively promoted higher
education in Texas. Among other accomplishments, he helped establish
the University of Texas at Austin and was named president of the
school's board of regents.
Smith died on January 21, 1886 at his plantation on
Galveston Bay. He is buried in the state cemetery in Austin.
|
