Francis Henney Smith | |
|---|---|
 Francis Henney Smith, first Superintendent of Virginia Military Institute. | |
| Born | October 18, 1812 Norfolk, Virginia |
| Died | March 21, 1890 (aged 77) Lexington, Virginia |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  United States Confederate States |
| Service/ |  United States Army Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1833–1836 (USA) 1861–1865 (CSA) |
| Rank |  Second Lieutenant (USA)Major General (VA Militia)  Colonel (CSA) |
| Unit | 1st U.S. Artillery |
| Commands | 9th Virginia Infantry Virginia Military Institute |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Other work | Superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute |
Francis Henney Smith (October 18, 1812 – March 21, 1890) was an American military officer, mathematician and educator. After graduating from West Point and a brief service in the United States Army, he became the first Superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute on its establishment in 1839, and held that post until shortly before his death. His superintendency included the four years of the American Civil War, during which he served as a major general in the Virginia militia and a colonel in the Confederate States Army.