Legacy and Honors
Gradually Smith's achievements were forgotten within the family as his sons worked to escape racial prejudice in New York. With the new work in history since the middle of the twentieth century, articles were published on Smith. Later descendants did not learn of their ethnic African ancestry and Smith's unique contributions until Greta Blau, Smith's 3xgreat-granddaughter, took a course on the history of blacks in New York. Afterward she saw James McCune Smith's name in the family bible held by her grandmother Antoinette Martignoni (a descendant of Guy B. Smith, James' youngest son), and remembered it from class. Investigation proved the family connection. Martignoni and Blau contacted other descendants to inform them of the discovery.
- In September 2010, Blau and other Smith descendants gathered to dedicate a tombstone to mark Smith's grave at Cypress Hills Cemetery and honor his work.
Read more about this topic: James McCune Smith
Famous quotes containing the words legacy and/or honors:
“What is popularly called fame is nothing but an empty name and a legacy from paganism.”
—Desiderius Erasmus (c. 1466–1536)
“My heart’s subdued
Even to the very quality of my lord.
I saw Othello’s visage in his mind,
And to his honors and his valiant parts
Did I my soul and fortunes consecrate.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)