Guide to the Smith Family Papers

Roy Kenneth Smith, M.D. (1885-1958) and Lura Wilma McLane Smith (1885-1979) were appointed to the PCUSA's Korea Mission in 1911 and until their repatriation to the United States in 1942 served in Andong, Taiku, Chairyung, Seoul, Pyengyang and Syenchun. Dr. Smith performed medical work at hospitals in these locations. Mrs. Smith performed hospital and dispensary work in addition to teaching at the Chosen Christian College in Seoul and the Nurses' Training School in Pyengyang. Dr. Smith returned alone to Korea in 1946 as an employee of the War Department to serve as Director of Tuberculosis Sanatoriums. He was stationed at Taegu where he supervised the Leprosarium and the Presbyterian Hospital. At the National Sanatorium in Masan Dr. Smith worked with tubercular patients until 1948 when his government service ended. The Smiths resumed their medical work at Taegu that same year until their retirement from missionary service in 1950.