Whitney Smith | |
|---|---|
 Smith in 2007 | |
| Born | (1940-02-26)February 26, 1940 Arlington, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | November 17, 2016(2016-11-17) (aged 76) Peabody, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Harvard University (BA) Boston University (PhD) |
| Occupation | Vexillologist |
| Years active | 1961–2013 |
| Organization | The Flag Research Center |
| Known for | |
| Notable work |
|
| Children | 2 sons[1] |
Whitney Smith Jr. (February 26, 1940 – November 17, 2016) was an Americanvexillologist. He coined the termvexillology, which refers to the scholarly analysis of all aspects of flags.[2] He was a founder of several vexillology organizations. Smith was a Laureate and a Fellow of theInternational Federation of Vexillological Associations.
Whitney Smith Jr. was born on February 26, 1940, to Mildred and Whitney Smith.[1] As a youth, he lived inLexington[3] andWinchester, Massachusetts.[1] Smith credited his interest in flags to his memories of MassachusettsPatriots' Day celebrations and a gift ofThe Golden Encyclopedia when he was about 6 years old.[3]
At Harvard, he studied political science and received a bachelor's degree in the field in 1961. During his time at Harvard, Smith designed theflag of Guyana after corresponding with Guyanese premierCheddi Jagan via mail.[4] He received his doctorate in political science atBoston University in 1968;[1] political symbolism was the subject of his dissertation.[1]
.svg)
Smith had his first article published at age 18. By 1960, he was consulting with theEncyclopædia Britannica.[3]
In 1961, Smith and colleague Gerhard Grahl co-foundedThe Flag Bulletin[5] (ISSN 0015-3370), the world's first journal about flags. The following year, Smith established The Flag Research Center at his home and was its director.[3]
Smith worked withKlaes Sierksma to organize the First International Congress of Vexillology (Muiderberg, Netherlands) in 1965.[1] They joined Louis Mühlemann in founding the International League of Vexillologists and were members of its Governing Board on September 5, 1965, and operated until September 3, 1967. The league was replaced by theInternational Federation of Vexillological Associations (known by its French acronym FIAV) with Smith as vice-president of the Provisional Council as of September 3, 1967. In 1969, Smith moved from being FIAV Provisional Council vice-president to being the first Secretary-General of FIAV.[6] Smith was also responsible for founding theNorth American Vexillological Association (NAVA) and the Flag Heritage Foundation.[1] On August 28, 1981, he was elected the second Secretary-General for Congresses, ending his multiple terms as FIAV Secretary-General. Smith served in that office until he returned to the FIAV Secretary-General position on September 29, 1983.[6]
Smith quit his full-time professorship at Boston University in 1970. By 1985, he had written 19 books.[3]
On July 5, 1991, Smith was named by the FIAV a Laureate of the Federation[7] and left the office of FIAV Secretary-General.[6] He was given the honor of Fellow of the Federation on July 27, 2001.[8]
In 2006 he was the joint author ofThe American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord & Conflict
In 2013 he transferred The Flag Research Center's library and archives to TheDolph Briscoe Center for American History.[2]
On November 17, 2016, Smith died from complications ofAlzheimer's disease at the age of 76.[1]
Smith wrote 27 books on the subject of flags,[9] notablyFlags Through the Ages and Across the World,The Flag Book of the United States, andFlag Lore of all Nations.[1]
He was the designer of the nationalflag of Guyana, 21Saudi Arabian navy flags[3] and served as a vexillographer (flag designer) to a number of governments and organizations. In 1981, Smith was part of a committee that developed theflag of Bonaire[9] and assisted in the design of theflag of Aruba.[1]
Smith also wrote over 250 articles for theEncyclopædia Britannica.[1]
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Academics | |
| People | |
| Other | |
