Patrick Espe ’14: The Episcopal Academy community was shaken recently by the news that E. Newbold Smith ’44 had passed away on January 18, 2013 at the age of 86. Smith was a Philadelphia native and an Episcopal graduate whose name is probably most well known by current Episcopal students as the namesake of our Smith football field. It would, however, be a travesty if Smith were only remembered for this reason. Scholium would like to provide a brief picture of E. Newbold Smith’s life so that he may be remembered for all of his contributions to both this school and the greater community.
Head of School L. Hamilton Clark remarked, “Newbold Smith was renowned for his athletic prowess, [and] was one of the most accomplished athletes of his era, and was beloved by his classmates.”
While at Episcopal, Smith was a gifted football, wrestling, and track varsity athlete. His athletic skill was so impressive during his tenure here that he later became a member of the inaugural group of inductees into the Episcopal Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000.
After graduating from Episcopal, Smith went on to the Naval Academy where he won ten Varsity letters for athletics while also being named first-team All-American in football in 1946. He won the Eastern Intercollegiate heavyweight wrestling championship in 1948 as well.
His love for athletics and his competitive nature did not wane when he entered adulthood, and he became an avid equestrian. Sadly, however, his newfound passion led to an accident in which Smith was left partially paralyzed.
After the accident, Smith began focusing on sailing, particularly on his 43-foot sloop “Reindeer,” a boat he took on many expeditions, most of which were spent exploring the western coast of Greenland. He eventually circumnavigated the Norwegian island of Spitsbergen in 1976.
His first book, Down Denmark Straights, described this trip in detail, while his second book, American Naval Broadsides, provided a detailed history of the early American Navy.
Smith’s wife of 59 years, Margaret DuPont Smith, passed away three years ago on September 20, 2009. Her father, the late Henry B. DuPont, Jr. was Vice-President and Director of The DuPont Company.
Smith himself spent a small part of his professional life at The DuPont Company, working as an engineer. Most of his professional career, however, was spent in security analysis and investment management. In fact, after working at several different investment management firms, he founded his own company, E.N. Smith & Co.
Clark noted, “[Smith] was also instrumental in helping Episcopal to move West [to Newtown Square], directing us to consider the site that we eventually purchased. Newbold was a loyal supporter of our school and we are delighted his family made it possible to name our football field in his honor in 2008.”
Smith is survived by his daughter, Eleuthera Grassi, his two sons Stockton and Henry, a daughter-in-law Andrea Smith, and his 13 grandchildren. He will surely be missed and remembered for his philanthropy, athletic prowess, love for his family and love for his alma mater, the Episcopal Academy.

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