Harlan James Smith

[1] He served as director of the University of Texas McDonald Observatory from 1963 to 1989, where, among other accomplishments, he initiated the construction of the Harlan J. Smith Telescope, a 2.7-meter (107-inch) reflector bearing his name .

The telescope brought new life to the observatory and helped recruit young faculty members, establishing McDonald as key player in the exploration of the solar system.

Smith was an enthusiastic proponent of educating the public on astronomy, and provided the support needed to develop the syndicated radio program StarDate.

While attending Wheeling High School he was named first runner up in the "Westinghouse National Science Talent Search".

From 1943 until the end of World War II he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps, performing weather observation.