Francis Hopkinson Smith (1838-1915), gained fame in his chosen profession of engineering, but he also became well-known for his hobbies of painting and writing. As an engineer, he built the foundation for the State of Liberty. He also built the sea walls around Governors Island, NY, and Tompkinsville, Staten Island, NY, and constructed the Race Rock Lighthouse off New London, CT. Smith won many medals as an artist for his watercolor landscapes and charcoal drawings. He also lectured extensively on art. Smith wrote some 30 novels and books of short stories. His books include "Colonel Carter of Cartersville" (1891), "Gentleman Vagabond and Some Others" (1895), and "The Fortunes of Oliver Horne" (1902). Smith was born in Baltimore, MD. He learned civil engineering working in foundries.

-- Excerpt, "World Book" Encyclopedia.