Robert H. Smith
Encyclopedia
Robert Hilton Smith was a successful builder-developer, and philanthropist
.
founded Charles E. Smith Co. in 1946, which grew to become one of the largest commercial and residential landlords in the Washington D.C. area, managing 24000000 square feet (2,229,673 m²) of office space and more than 30,000 residential units.
He and his brother-in-law, Robert P. Kogod
, took charge of the company in 1967. He oversaw construction and development, and Kogod led leasing and management. He became chairman of Charles E. Smith Co. Commercial Realty, a division of Vornado Realty Trust, and chairman of Charles E. Smith Co. Residential, a division of Archstone-Smith Trust
, both REITs listed on the New York Stock Exchange. They are best known for spearheading the development of the Crystal City
complex in northern Virginia.
, his alma mater. The Robert H. Smith School of Business
at the University of Maryland, College Park
, was named in his honor in 1998 to recognize his gift of $15 million, the largest gift the school had ever received. He continuously supported its programs, subsequently making additional generous gifts as the school has expanded and risen in prestige. The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
, completed in 2001, is named for his wife.
Interestingly, the Kogod School of Business
at the American University
in Washington, DC, is named after Robert P. Kogod
, brother-in-law of Robert H. Smith. Like his father, Smith also served on the board of trustees at The George Washington University in 1976 and again from 1977–1997. His son currently sits on the board of trustees at George Washington. The Smith and Kogod families are major donors to GW, too. The Charles E. Smith Athletic Center
at GW is named in his father's honor. In addition, Smiths contributions to Johns Hopkins Hospital allowed for the construction of the Wilmer Eye Institute.
Smith was charitable to nearby historical and preservation efforts including the development of the Robert H. & Clarice Smith Auditorium at George Washington's Mount Vernon
Estate and Gardens, and the Robert H. and Clarice Smith Gallery at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello
Visitors' Center. On November 3, 2007, the National Society of Madison Family Descendant’s awarded the Madison Family Cup to Robert H. Smith for his extraordinary contributions to James Madison’s legacy and the preservation and development of Montpelier.
Smith's family also gave charitably to a number of Jewish communal causes in the greater Washington, DC, area, including the Charles E. Smith Life Communities, a senior housing and elder care campus in Rockville, Maryland, and the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School
, also in Rockville. Both organizations are named for Smith's father.
Smith also served as president and trustee of the National Gallery of Art
, and chairman of the board of governors of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
.
In 2008, President George W. Bush
awarded Smith with the National Humanities Medal
.
Until his death of a stroke in December 2009, he resided in Crystal City, Virginia, with his wife, Clarice. They had three children, Michelle and David
, and Stephen, who is deceased.
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
.
Business
His fatherCharles E. Smith (developer)
Charles E. Smith was a real estate developer and philanthropist in the Washington DC area.-Life:Smith immigrated from Russia in 1911 speaking only Yiddish....
founded Charles E. Smith Co. in 1946, which grew to become one of the largest commercial and residential landlords in the Washington D.C. area, managing 24000000 square feet (2,229,673 m²) of office space and more than 30,000 residential units.
He and his brother-in-law, Robert P. Kogod
Robert P. Kogod
Robert P. Kogod is an American business executive and philanthropist.A 1962 alumnus of American University, Kogod married into the Charles E. Smith family when he wed Arlene Smith, and began to work alongside her brother Robert H. Smith and father Charles E. Smith...
, took charge of the company in 1967. He oversaw construction and development, and Kogod led leasing and management. He became chairman of Charles E. Smith Co. Commercial Realty, a division of Vornado Realty Trust, and chairman of Charles E. Smith Co. Residential, a division of Archstone-Smith Trust
Archstone-Smith Trust
Archstone is one of the largest investors, developers and operators of apartment communities in the United States. As of June 30, 2011, the company owned or had an ownership position in 434 communities located in the United States and Europe, representing 77,084 units, including units under...
, both REITs listed on the New York Stock Exchange. They are best known for spearheading the development of the Crystal City
Crystal City, Virginia
Crystal City is an urban neighborhood in the southeastern corner of Arlington County, Virginia, south of downtown Washington, D.C.. Its residents can live, shop, and work without going outside, due to its extensive integration of office buildings and residential high-rise buildings using...
complex in northern Virginia.
Philanthropy
Smith gave generously to the University of Maryland, College ParkUniversity of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
, his alma mater. The Robert H. Smith School of Business
Robert H. Smith School of Business
The Robert H. Smith School of Business is a school of business management within the University of Maryland, College Park. The school was named after alumnus Robert H. Smith...
at the University of Maryland, College Park
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
, was named in his honor in 1998 to recognize his gift of $15 million, the largest gift the school had ever received. He continuously supported its programs, subsequently making additional generous gifts as the school has expanded and risen in prestige. The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center is a performing arts complex on the campus of the University of Maryland, College Park. The facility houses six performance venues; the UM School of Music; and the UM School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies. It also houses the Michelle Smith...
, completed in 2001, is named for his wife.
Interestingly, the Kogod School of Business
Kogod School of Business
The Kogod School of Business, commonly referred to as Kogod, serves as the undergraduate and graduate business school at American University in Northwest Washington, DC. Kogod is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business . Kogod offers undergraduate and graduate degree...
at the American University
American University
American University is a private, Methodist, liberal arts, and research university in Washington, D.C. The university was chartered by an Act of Congress on December 5, 1892 as "The American University", which was approved by President Benjamin Harrison on February 24, 1893...
in Washington, DC, is named after Robert P. Kogod
Robert P. Kogod
Robert P. Kogod is an American business executive and philanthropist.A 1962 alumnus of American University, Kogod married into the Charles E. Smith family when he wed Arlene Smith, and began to work alongside her brother Robert H. Smith and father Charles E. Smith...
, brother-in-law of Robert H. Smith. Like his father, Smith also served on the board of trustees at The George Washington University in 1976 and again from 1977–1997. His son currently sits on the board of trustees at George Washington. The Smith and Kogod families are major donors to GW, too. The Charles E. Smith Athletic Center
Charles E. Smith Athletic Center
The Charles E. Smith Athletic Center is a 5,000-seat multipurpose arena in Washington D.C.. It is home to the George Washington University Colonials men's and women's basketball teams, as well as the university's swimming, water polo, gymnastics, and volleyball teams...
at GW is named in his father's honor. In addition, Smiths contributions to Johns Hopkins Hospital allowed for the construction of the Wilmer Eye Institute.
Smith was charitable to nearby historical and preservation efforts including the development of the Robert H. & Clarice Smith Auditorium at George Washington's Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon
The name Mount Vernon is a dedication to the English Vice-Admiral Edward Vernon. It was first applied to Mount Vernon, the Virginia estate of George Washington, the first President of the United States...
Estate and Gardens, and the Robert H. and Clarice Smith Gallery at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello
Monticello
Monticello is a National Historic Landmark just outside Charlottesville, Virginia, United States. It was the estate of Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence, third President of the United States, and founder of the University of Virginia; it is...
Visitors' Center. On November 3, 2007, the National Society of Madison Family Descendant’s awarded the Madison Family Cup to Robert H. Smith for his extraordinary contributions to James Madison’s legacy and the preservation and development of Montpelier.
Smith's family also gave charitably to a number of Jewish communal causes in the greater Washington, DC, area, including the Charles E. Smith Life Communities, a senior housing and elder care campus in Rockville, Maryland, and the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School
Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School
The Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School, often referred to as CESJDS or JDS, is a private, pluralistic Jewish K-12 school in Rockville, Maryland....
, also in Rockville. Both organizations are named for Smith's father.
Smith also served as president and trustee of the National Gallery of Art
National Gallery of Art
The National Gallery of Art and its Sculpture Garden is a national art museum, located on the National Mall between 3rd and 9th Streets at Constitution Avenue NW, in Washington, DC...
, and chairman of the board of governors of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem ; ; abbreviated HUJI) is Israel's second-oldest university, after the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. The Hebrew University has three campuses in Jerusalem and one in Rehovot. The world's largest Jewish studies library is located on its Edmond J...
.
In 2008, President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
awarded Smith with the National Humanities Medal
National Humanities Medal
The National Humanities Medal honors individuals or groups whose work has deepened the nation’s understanding of the humanities, broadened citizens’ engagement with the humanities, or helped preserve and expand Americans’ access to important resources in the humanities.The award, given by the...
.
Until his death of a stroke in December 2009, he resided in Crystal City, Virginia, with his wife, Clarice. They had three children, Michelle and David
David Smith (author)
David Bruce Smith is an author, editor, publisher and business executive based in Washington, DC.-Life:David Bruce Smith is the son of Robert H. Smith, a builder developer, philanthropist and former President of the National Gallery of Art. His mother is the world-renowned artist Clarice Smith...
, and Stephen, who is deceased.