Alphonso Smith Lectures on General Chemistry notebook

Access and use

Location of collection:
Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library
Special Collections and Archives
James G. Leyburn Library
Washington and Lee University
204 W. Washington Street
Lexington, VA 24450
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Tom Camden
Phone: (540) 458-8649
Phone: (540) 463-8109
Fax: (540) 463-8964
Restrictions:

This collection is open for use.

Terms of access:

The materials from Washington and Lee University Special Collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used should be fully credited with the source.

Preferred citation:

Alphonso Smith Lectures on General Chemistry Notebook (RG 62.0074), Special Collections and Archives, James G. Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.01 Linear Feet 1 folder
Creator:
Smith, Alphonso
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Alphonso Smith Lectures on General Chemistry Notebook (RG 62.0074), Special Collections and Archives, James G. Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains a notebook kept Alphonso Smith in September 1849 while a student at Washington College. The notebook contains Smith's recording of Professor George D. Armstrong's "Lectures on General Chemistry." The notebook includes 59 lectures on 86 pages, as well as folk art sketches on the front and rear endpages and pastedowns. Smith also inscribed "Dr. Samuel U. Holt alias 'Lazybones.'"

Biographical / historical:

Alphonso Smith was born the second son of Samuel R. Smith on May 17, 1825. He attended Washington College during the 1849-1850 school year. He became the editor of the LEXINGTON GAZETTE in Summer 1853. At the outbreak of the American Civil War, Smith became a member of the 27th Virginia Regiment. He was wounded at the Battle of Port Republic, and died on July 8, 1862 in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Acquisition information:
Purchased in September 2025
Physical description:
The pages are lightly toned and have some scattered smudges, foxing to endpapers, binding and some pages are loose, wear to the binding and break to the spine.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard