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Wesley Smith, Classics

Wesley D. Smith, emeritus classical studies professor at Penn, died June 23 of respiratory failure. He was 88.

Dr. Smith earned his undergraduate degree in Greek and Latin from the University of Washington in 1951. He went on to attain both his master’s and PhD in the classics from Harvard, and then began his teaching career in 1955 at Princeton. In 1961, he joined the Penn faculty as an assistant professor in classical studies. He was later promoted to associate professor and then professor. He was awarded emeritus status when he retired in 1996. Dr. Smith’s focus was Greek and Roman literature. He was most interested in Hippocrates, the ancient Greek who established ethical standards for the practice of medicine. He authored The Hippocratic Tradition in 1979.

During his time at Penn, Dr. Smith took academic leaves to study at the American Academy in Rome, the Center for Hellenic Studies in Washington and the Institute of the History of Medicine in Baltimore. He was Guggenheim Fellow in 1972. Dr. Smith served as student personnel officer in the College and as graduate chair of his department. He served on the University Community Relations Committee for multiple academic years in the 1980s. In 1986, he was appointed University ombudsman by President Sheldon Hackney (Almanac July 15, 1986).

Dr. Smith is survived by ex-wives Lois Smith and Karen Faulkner; daughter, Moon Elizabeth; son, Anthony; five grandchildren; and stepson, Josh Olson.

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