By Marshall Hier and John C. Rasp
In 1941, St. Louis attorney Luther Ely Smith received the prestigious St. Louis Award, presented annually to the resident of Metropolitan St. Louis, who during the preceding year has contributed the most outstanding service for its development ... or (who) shall have performed such service as to bring the greatest honor to the community.
Smith projected a bookish appearance, with wire rim glasses, conservative dress and an almost painfully shy, retiring demeanor. Beneath such a deceptively placid facade, however, Smith was a passionate, indefatigable champion of the many causes that he embraced.
