| Description | This folder contains letters to Smith from Professor Sir Charles Scott Sherrington, and draft replies from Smith. The letters cover over twenty years, but are grouped and pasted together into small bundles of a few letters from separate short periods of conversation.
Bundle 1
These letters date from 9 Dec 1906 to 6 Oct 1907. Sherrington writes to Smith to offer help with this book [possibly the third edition of Smith's 'Manual of Veterinary Physiology'?], and mentions testing nerves with electric current. Also enclosed is a letter from Sherrington to Arthur Sheridan Lea, asking if he should suggest including the 'principle of the common path' to Smith for his chapter on the nervous system. Lea writes to Smith, enclosing Sherrington's letter, and suggests that Smith answer that question. Later, Sherrington writes to thank Smith for a copy of his 'Manual of Veterinary Physiology'. Sherrington writes from Grove Park, Liverpool and the School of Physiology at Liverpool University. Lea writes from Sunnyside, Sidcup, Kent.
Bundle 2
These letters date from 1 Dec 1916 to 11 Mar 1917. Smith writes to Sherrington to ask for his frank opinion on his chances of being elected to the Royal Society, if he pursues nomination again. They discuss finding a suitable Proposer, and Smith asks Sherrington to speak to [Sir William] Osler on his behalf. They discuss a need for reform in the study of veterinary medicine, attempts to raise the status of the profession, achieve recognition by the Royal Society and encourage Universities to award degrees in the subject. Sherrington regrets that he cannot nominate Smith as he is currently on the Council of the Royal Society, and suggests that Fellows from the Royal Army Medical Corps may be able to help. Smith summarises his 40 year publishing output and remarks that he has experienced great hostility as a result of his work. Sherrington writes from Chadlington Road, Oxford and the University Laboratory of Physiology, Oxford. Smith writes from 25 Old Park Ridings, Winchmore Hill, London.
Bundle 3
These letters date from 9 Nov 1920 to 5 Jan 1922. Sherrington writes on three occasions to thank Smith for his congratulations on his being elected as President of the Royal Society, helping to organise an event in his honour, and thanks him for congratulations on being awarded a GBE (Knight Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire). [Smith has annotated this letter to say that he was congratulating Sherrington on being awarded the Order of Merit, but this actually took place in 1924, and there is a separate letter on this subject.] Sherrington writes from Chadlington Road, Oxford.
Bundle 4
These letters date from 6 Feb 1924 to 11 Jun 1924. Smith congratulates Sherrington on receiving another honour, but hopes to see him get the Order of Merit. He also writes about his work to improve veterinary knowledge going unrecognised, and that old age is slowing him down. Sherrington replies with thanks and tells Smith that his work is an inspiration to him and others. In the third letter, Sherrington writes to thank Smith for his congratulations on being awarded the Order of Merit. Sherrington writes from Chadlington Road, Oxford.
Loose letter from Sherrington to Smith, dated 7 Oct 1925. Sherrington writes that he wishes more recognition for Smith, and mentions that he has damaged his arm.
Bundle 5
These letters date from 4 Oct 1927 to 14 Nov 1927. Smith writes to send Sherrington a paper on the effects of Lycoperdon fungi, and ask if it is worth investigating. Sherrington replies that he has returned from a visit to the United States of America and Canada, and was impressed by the Canadian univerities. Smith replies to say he is also interested in North American universities. He congratulates Sherrington on being awarded the Copley Medal, and asks for his feedback about the Lycoperdon.
The original envelope in which these letters were found at time of cataloguing has been kept. |