Charles Sprague Smith

Charles Sprague Smith (1853-1910) was a Columbia University language professor who was the longtime head of the People's Institute, a civic education organization targeting immigrants organized around the Cooper Union in New York City.

Early life and education Sprague Smith was born on August 27, 1853, in Andover, Massachusetts, to Caroline L. and Charles Sprague Smith. He studied at Amherst College, graduating in 1874, and for six additional years in Europe.

Career Educator He taught at Columbia University beginning in 1880 as a professor of Germanic languages. He then taught comparative literature and modern languages beginning in 1882 and until 1891, when his career as an educator ended due to poor health. The work of the organization was focused in The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, where Sprague Smith presided over the People's Forum that was influential within the state of New York and had a national reputation. The institute's work included a system of social and civic clubs, a bureau of civic and legislative information, and publicity of civic topics in the media.

A program developed from the organization provided for more than 100,000 students and workers to attend music and theatre venues at a reduced rate. The institute was responsible for and administered the Board of Censorship of Motion Pictures.

Other He founded the Comparative Literature Society in 1895 and the Ethical - Social League to promote church and civic interests in 1907. They lived at 318 W. 15th Street in Manhattan, New York. and died on March 29 or 30 in 1910.