The collection is organized into Biographical Material (1947-1951), Correspondence (1910-1949), Literary Material (1881-1938 and undated), Grade Books (1888-1901), Printed Material (1886-1904, 1991), Photographs (1882-1897 and undated), and Memorabilia. The Biographical Material consists of newspaper and magazine articles about Smith. The correspondence includes general correspondence with family and coworkers (1910-1949), letters relating to Davidson College (1918-1949), letters to and from the Davidson College Alumni Office (1931-1949), correspondence with F.L. Jackson (1922-1947), correspondence regarding the Davidson Cotton Mills, and two postcards sent from Greensboro. The general correspondences includes references to teaching the Bible in public schools, Prohibition, student government and conditions at the University of South Carolina, and civic affairs in Greensboro. The Davidson College and F. L. Jackson correspondence primarily concern alumni activities and donations made by Smith to the college. The Davidson Cotton Mill file contains notices to stock holders, financial reports and some direct correspondence with Smith. Smith was one of the organizers of the Linden Cotton Mills which eventually became part of the Davidson Cotton Mill. The Literary Materials include two copies of an essay written in 1881, one of which contains notes by a faculty member critiquing the paper. There is a typescript entitled "Some Unimportant Memories of Student Life at Davidson and one entitled "My Work at Davidson, 1887-1912" There are also three notebooks containing copies of speeches given by Smith and a file on Smith's appearance on the radio program "Famous First Facts" to discuss his work with X-Rays. There is also a typescript of an 1895 diary of a bicycle trip taken by Smith and his brothers Egbert and Charles Alphonso. The four grade books list students and courses taught by Smith from 1888 to 1901. The Printed Materials include copies of magazines containing speeches and articles by Smith and a typescript "In Memoriam." "In Memoriam" was prepared by Smith's son O. Norris Smith in 1991 and contains transcriptions of letters from Henry Louis Smith's parents, reminiscences by Smith, copies of articles and excerpts from the Minutes of the Board of Trustees of Washington and Lee. In addition, "In Memoriam" contains several original letters (1887-1889) by Smith and others concerning his employment at Davidson. The photographs include formal protraits of Smith, family pictures, a group photograph taken in Paris in 1889, scenes on the Davidson campus, and faculty photographs. Some of the photographs were originally housed in a photograph album and have been rehoused for preservation purposes. The Memorabilia includes the Photograph Album and an aluminum disk with the original Famous First Facts recording. There is a copy of this on audiocassette available in the archives. See Also DC017, Charles Alphonso Smith Collection; DC0081s Smith, Egbert Watson Speech; DC0082s, Smith, Hay Watson Speech; and RG 2/1.10 President's Office. Smith Henry Louis. The majority of Henry Louis Smith's personal papers are housed at Washington and Lee University.