Born in Kansas, William J. Smither attended Wichita State University, the U. of Kansas, Wisconsin, and Tulane University where he received the Ph.D. in 1952. After teaching Spanish and Portuguese at Tulane for 35 years he retired as emeritus professor in 1982. During that period he also served as Director of the Language Laboratory and as Acting Dean of Newcomb College (Sophie Newcomb Memorial College of Tulane U.). Besides articles, reviews, and research in second language teaching, he published El Mundo Galleg o de Valle-Inclán in 1986. Medieval Spanish studies at Wisconsin and subsequent interest in the Santiago pilgrimage as an element of Spanish culture, civilization, and art led to extensive photography, some of which was used in one of Smither's courses.

Click images for a larger version.

Exterior view of church from the north. Loches Church of Saint Ours, 12th Century, Romanesque Period, (Indre et Loire), Touraine, France. Photographer: W.J. Smither

View of tower with cornice and brackets. Loches Church of Saint Ours, 12th Century, Romanesque Period, (Indre et Loire), Touraine, France. Photographer: W.J. Smither

View of tower with cornice and brackets. Loches Church of Saint Ours, 12th Century, Romanesque Period, (Indre et Loire), Touraine, France. Photographer: W.J. Smither

Interior view of the nave during Mass. Loches Church of Saint Ours, 12th Century, Romanesque Period, (Indre et Loire), Touraine, France. Photographer: W.J. Smither

Dream of the Magi (sadly damaged). Archivolt, extreme upper-right of narthex facade. Loches Church of Saint Ours, 12th Century, Romanesque Period, (Indre et Loire), Touraine, France. Photographer: W.J. Smither

Bi-lobe Creature, capital sculpture in the narthex. Loches Church of Saint Ours, 12th Century, Romanesque Period, (Indre et Loire), Touraine, France. Photographer: W.J. Smither

Griffins, capital sculpture in the narthex. Loches Church of Saint Ours, 12th Century, Romanesque Period, (Indre et Loire), Touraine, France. Photographer: W.J. Smither

Fantastic animal, capital sculpture in the narthex. Loches Church of Saint Ours, 12th Century, Romanesque Period, (Indre et Loire), Touraine, France. Photographer: W.J. Smither

Heroic fable, capital sculpture in the narthex. Loches Church of Saint Ours, 12th Century, Romanesque Period, (Indre et Loire), Touraine, France. Photographer: W.J. Smither

Face with Ionic-style curls, capital sculpture in the narthex. Loches Church of Saint Ours, 12th Century, Romanesque Period, (Indre et Loire), Touraine, France. Photographer: W.J. Smither

Sculptural console with figures in the narthex. Loches Church of Saint Ours, 12th Century, Romanesque Period, (Indre et Loire), Touraine, France. Photographer: W.J. Smither