Biographical details supplied by Mary Jane Ray, daughter-in-law (September 2009).Ĭollection Scope and Content Note: The collection of Dent Smith includes correspondence between Smith and dozens of internationally prominent palm biologists. Processing: Collection and finding aid developed by Nancy Korber, 2008. He was succeeded by his second wife, Doris. He was preceeded in death by his first wife and their two children: Garrard Leonard Dent Smith, who was killed in action in the Korean War in 1950 and a daugher, Jesse Dent Smith Clark who died of multiple myeloma. His published writings are extensive, including total authorship of the six issues of the Palm Society Bulletin, and more than 70 articles, most published in Principes.ĭent Smith died in 1985 after a long battle with cancer. Even to his death in 1985, he served as an active member of the society and was consulted for advise on its operations.ĭent Smith received numerous honors for his involvement and support of palm culture, including an honorary Doctorate of Science from Florida Institute of Technology and the Founders Medal from Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. In 1949 he moved to Daytona Beach, Florida where he began his involvement with palms, and founded the International Palm Society.įor the first several years Dent Smith was the primary figure in the society’s development, serving as president, editor of Principes, and in other capacities. For a brief period, he founded and ran the magazine Encore (1942-1945). In spite of the failing economy, he realized considerable success, and was able to retire at the age of 42. Eventually, he started his own investment securities firm (Dent Smith and Company). He worked for five years as a bond salesman on Wall Street in New York City.
But in 1925 he made another move that seems to have signaled a change in his life. Up to this point, Dent Smith had led a rather itinerant life, seeking little formal education, job stability, or financial reward. After several more jobs, he moved to southern California. He took various jobs and eventually made his way to Mexico where he worked as an oilfield scout and married his first wife, Guadalupe Hopper y Martinez in 1921. He served several years, mostly on the Mexican border, before he was discharged in 1919. During his early years he moved frequently, and according to his own recollections, received a brief and what Smith called a “thoroughly useless formal education.” At 16 he left college in his junior year to take a number of jobs until he enlisted in the army at age 18. Dent Smith Collection.īiography: Dent Smith was born in Staunton, Virginia in 1897. Preferred Citation: Courtesy of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden Archive. Please consult the curator for access: Nancy Korber, 30 x3424 or Restrictions: Most of the photographs have previously been published and are covered by copyright restrictions of the Palm Society. While the dates include 1955-1986, most of the records are from 1955 through the mid-1960s.Īdministrative Information: Arranged, for the most part, in folders by correspondent (either individual or organization), then by date, with copies of Dent Smith’s letters interfiled.Īcquisition information: The papers were donated to Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden by Dent Smith.Īccess: The Collection is open for research. The collection includes letters, manuscripts of Dent Smith’s writings, Palm Society minutes, planning documents, and financial records.
He conceived, developed, and supported the society throughout its first 30 years.
Dent Smith started the Palm Society in 1956. Almost all the materials deal with the establishment and operation of the Palm Society. Repository: The Bertram Zuckerman Garden Archives, Fairchild Tropical Garden Research Center, Fairchild Tropical Garden, 11935 Old Cutler Road, Miami, FL 33156-4296.Ībstract: The papers of Dent Smith include copies of the correspondence between Dent Smith and over 200 internationally prominent palm botanists and horticulturists. Extent: 2 file drawers, 6 cubic feet, approximately 4,600 letters, 60 reports and manuscripts, 14 photographs.
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