Dr. Robert Smith
| Robert Smith | |
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Robert Smith (standing, fourth from left) photographed in 1885
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| Born | Robert Smith 30 June 1840 Freetown, Sierra Leone |
| Died |
June 9, 1885 Charlotte Street, Freetown, Sierra Leone |
| Nickname | Bob Smith |
| Occupation | Assistant Colonial Surgeon |
| Language | English |
| Nationality | British Subject, |
| Education | Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield, University of Glasgow, University of Birmingham, University of Edinburgh |
| Spouse | daughter of Governor Benjamin Chilley Campbell Pine |
Robert Smith FRCSE (1840 – June, 1885), also known as Bob Smith, was a Sierra Leonean medical doctor who served as Assistant Colonial Surgeon of Sierra Leone during the late nineteenth century. Smith was the first African to become a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh after completing his medical studies at the University of Edinburgh.
Smith was born in Freetown, Sierra Leone to William Smith Jr., (1816-1895) and Charlotte Smith (née Macaulay). William Smith was born in Cape Coast, to a Fante princess and William Smith Sr., a Yorkshireman who served as judge of the Mixed Commissary Court in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Charlotte Macaulay was a Liberated African and the daughter of Kenneth Macaulay, a second cousin of Zachary Macaulay and uncle of Lord Macaulay. Robert Smith was the second son of seven children born to William Smith from his first marriage to Charlotte Macaulay.
Robert Smith briefly attended the Church Missionary Society Grammar School, but after a short spell there was educated at the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield in Yorkshire, England. After completing his secondary education, Smith commenced his medical studies for the LFPS at the University of Glasgow and won many academic prizes. After completing his studies at the University of Glasgow, Smith then gained the MRCS in England before returning to Sierra Leone.
Following his education in Britain, Smith returned to Sierra Leone where he was appointed the deputy inspector of Health and Shipping Department. After serving as deputy inspector in Sierra Leone, Smith returned to Scotland and undertook his medical studies at the University of Edinburgh. Smith completed his studies at Edinburgh and became the first West African to become a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh in 1871. Smith returned to Sierra Leone and commenced what would be a successful and storied medical career. Smith was a popular doctor in Freetown and highly sought after by the ageing Settler and Maroon community in the Settler Town and Maroon Town area. Smith's warmth and skills as doctor led to promotion and he was eventually appointed Assistant Colonial Surgeon. Smith also lectured in anatomy and physiology for five years at Fourah Bay College and taught a number of brilliant Sierra Leonean medical doctors including Dr. John Farrell Easmon.
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