Introduction

During his life, New York surgeon Stephen Smith (1823–1922) was described as “the most interesting figure in American medicine and in American public service today,” but he left few memorials because he often deflected attention. In considering his many achievements, it is hard to ignore his effectiveness as a social change agent in public health, housing, mental illness, and urban reforestation. We want to know how Smith accomplished so much. But, considering how many of the problems he faced are still with us, we also need to know about the challenges he could not solve and the lessons to be learned from his battles.