14 Facts About Whitney Smith

Whitney Smith coined the term vexillology, which refers to the scholarly analysis of all aspects of flags.

Whitney Smith credited his interest in flags to his memories of Massachusetts Patriots' Day celebrations and a gift of The Golden Encyclopedia when he was about 6 years old.

Whitney Smith received his doctorate in political science at Boston University in 1968;[1] political symbolism was the subject of his dissertation.

Whitney Smith worked with Klaes Sierksma to organize the First International Congress of Vexillology in 1965.

In 1969, Whitney Smith moved from being FIAV Provisional Council vice-president to being the first Secretary-General of FIAV.

Whitney Smith was responsible for founding the North American Vexillological Association and the Flag Heritage Foundation.

Whitney Smith served in that office until he returned to the FIAV Secretary-General position on September 29,1983.

Whitney Smith quit his full-time professorship at Boston University in 1970.

On July 5,1991, Whitney Smith was named by the FIAV a Laureate of the Federation and left the office of FIAV Secretary-General.

Whitney Smith was given the honor of Fellow of the Federation on July 27,2001.

On November 17,2016, Whitney Smith died from complications of Alzheimer's disease at the age of 76.

Whitney Smith wrote 27 books on the subject of flags, notably Flags Through the Ages and Across the World, The Flag Book of the United States, and Flag Lore of all Nations.

Whitney Smith was the designer of the national flag of Guyana, 21 Saudi Arabian navy flags and served as a vexillographer to a number of governments and organizations.

In 1981, Whitney Smith was part of a committee that developed the flag of Bonaire and assisted in the design of the flag of Aruba.