William V. Smith

William Victor Smith was born in Salt Lake City, Utah to Idaho natives who moved to Utah for economic reasons. He was educated in Utah schools, graduating in mathematics from the University of Utah and later obtaining a PhD from the same institution. While an undergraduate he was mentored by historian Davis Bitton, philosopher David Bennett, and mathematician Donald Tucker. After obtaining his PhD under Tucker in mathematics, he was a post-doctoral scholar at Texas Tech University, a professor at the University of Mississippi, a visiting scholar at IRD, Bondy, France, and the University of Pau, France, and finally a professor at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. During his mathematical career he also nourished a lingering interest in religious studies and philosophy, especially Mormon studies.