Warren H. Smith, former Yale editor, dies at age 93

Warren Hunting Smith, a former Yale researcher who spent half a century editing the letters of 18th-century English author Horace Walpole, died on Nov. 22 at his home in Geneva, New York. He was 93 years old.

Mr. Smith graduated from Yale College in 1927 and earned his Ph.D. from the University in 1931. That year, along with fellow graduate Wilmarth Lewis (who later founded Yale's Lewis Walpole Library in Farmington, Connecticut), he began working on a 48-volume edition of Walpole's papers. Mr. Smith took charge of the Walpole project at Sterling Library from 1979 until its completion in 1982.

In addition to "The Yale Edition of Horace Walpole's Letters," a five-volume work principally attributed to him, Mr. Smith also published six books and two novels, which were set in his hometown of Geneva, New York.

Mr. Smith was senior research associate at Yale 1972-82; a trustee of Yale University Library Associates 1965-87; and assistant librarian of the Elizabethan Club at Yale 1964-87. In 1981, the University honored him with the Wilbur Cross Medal, which honors Yale Ph.D.'s for outstanding achievement in their professional lives.

A longtime New Haven resident, Mr. Smith retired eight years ago to his family home in Geneva. He served in Army intelligence during World War II.

Mr. Smith is survived by a niece, Alice V.R. Smith of Bridgewater, New Jersey. He was predeceased by his half-brothers, Sidney S. and T. Schuyler Smith. Memorial contributions may be made to the Geneva Free Library, 244 Main St., Geneva, N.Y. 14456.