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David Bruce Smith

Goodreads Author

Born

in The United States

Website

http://davidbrucesmith.com/

Genre

History, Historical Fiction, Biography

Member Since

November 2011

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/davidbrucesmith

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David Bruce Smith is an author, editor, publisher, and business executive based in Washington, DC. He is the founder and president of the Grateful American Foundation, an organization dedicated to restoring enthusiasm in American history for kids and adults. Smith has been a guest blogger for Maryland Humanities, the National Museum of Women in the Arts, and Historic Deerfield. He publishes a monthly newsletters about DBS Publications, Grateful American Foundation, Grateful American Book Prize, Grateful American Book Series and the artist Clarice Smith.

Early life and family
David Bruce Smith is the son of Robert H. Smith, a builder developer, philanthropist and former President of the National Gallery of Art. His mother is the world-renowned David Bruce Smith is an author, editor, publisher, and business executive based in Washington, DC. He is the founder and president of the Grateful American Foundation, an organization dedicated to restoring enthusiasm in American history for kids and adults. Smith has been a guest blogger for Maryland Humanities, the National Museum of Women in the Arts, and Historic Deerfield. He publishes a monthly newsletters about DBS Publications, Grateful American Foundation, Grateful American Book Prize, Grateful American Book Series and the artist Clarice Smith.

Early life and family
David Bruce Smith is the son of Robert H. Smith, a builder developer, philanthropist and former President of the National Gallery of Art. His mother is the world-renowned artist Clarice Chasen Smith. His grandfather was the real estate developer and philanthropist Charles E. Smith. Smith’s book Conversations with Papa Charlie is a memoir of the close relationship he had with his grandfather.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in American Literature from George Washington University and a Master of Arts in Journalism from New York University.

Career
Smith worked at the Charles E. Smith Realty Companies for two decades, progressing from a property management job in the Residential division, to vice-president and senior vice president positions in commercial management. He then switched to a career in writing, editing, and publishing. He founded, edited, and published Crystal City Magazine.

DBS Publications was founded in 2003. The company specializes in creating, designing, and writing limited-edition books on a variety of subjects such as authors, historic figures, artists, and leaders.

Smith is the author of thirteen books: In Many Arenas, 13 Young Men, Tennessee, Three Miles from Providence, Conversations with Papa Charlie, Afternoon Tea with Mom, Letters to My Children, Building the Community, Continuum, Building My Life, Souvenirs of the Riviera and the children’s book American Hero: John Marshall, Chief Justice of the United States and Abigail & John. He is also a reviewer of books for several publications. Smith also authored the preface of American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) booklet, “No U.S. History?”

In 2014 he launched the Grateful American Series, an interactive multimedia program designed to restore enthusiasm in American history for children and adults.

The Grateful American Foundation, which focuses on publishing materials and producing activities for children about American History, was founded in 2014.

Grateful American Book Prize
In March 2015 Smith co-founded the Grateful American Book Prize, with Dr. Bruce Cole, the former chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The annual award will honor a single 7th-9th grade level work culled from fiction, historical fiction, and non-fiction entries.

The Prize consists of a $13,000 award in commemoration of the 13 original Colonies. In addition, the winner receives a silver medal designed by Smith’s mother, the renowned artist Clarice Smith.

Grateful American Book Series
The book series concentrates on historical couples that were—in actuality—an equal partnership. The first is Abigail & John (Adams), published in August 2019. ...more

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David Bruce Smith's Blog: News

Bookish

The six-part 1946 London-set murder mystery series created by and starring Mark Gatiss (Sherlock), follows eccentric antiquarian bookshop owner Gabriel Book, who uses his vast knowledge to solve crimes with his wife, Trottie. Stream on PBS.

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Published on February 12, 2026 12:49

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David Bruce Smith’s books

Average rating: 4.62 · 13 ratings · 0 reviews · 12 distinct works

	Three Miles From Providence: A Tale of Abraham Lincoln and the Soldiers' Home 4.67 avg rating — 3 ratings — published 2007	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	American Hero: John Marshall, Chief Justice of the United States 4.67 avg rating — 3 ratings — published 2013	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Conversations with Papa Charlie: A Memory of Charles E. Smith 4.33 avg rating — 3 ratings — published 2000 — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	13 Young Men - How Charles E. Smith Influenced a Community it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 2008	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Abigail & John by David Bruce Smith (Goodreads Author), Clarice Smith (Illustrator) 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Souvenirs of the Riviera by David Bruce Smith (Goodreads Author), Clarice Smith (Painter) (Illustrator) 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	13 Young Men: How Charles E. Smith Influenced a Community 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Continuum by David Bruce Smith (Goodreads Author), Clarice Smith (Illustrator) 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Afternoon Tea with Mom: Conversations with Clarice Smith about her Art by David Bruce Smith (Goodreads Author), Clarice Smith (Painter) 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	American Hero: John Marshall, Chief Justice of the United States by David Bruce Smith (2013-03-01) 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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David’s Recent Updates

David Bruce Smith wrote a new blog post Bookish The six-part 1946 London-set murder mystery series created by and starring Mark Gatiss (Sherlock), follows eccentric antiquarian bookshop owner Gabrie Read more of this blog post »
Feb 13, 2026 03:17AM · like
David Bruce Smith liked Rebecca Brenner Graham's review of Tea: Consumption, Politics, and Revolution, 1773–1776: "a must-read on the commodity of tea during the American Revolution. thorough research and thoughtful analysis dragged down by some of the worst section & chapter titles I’ve ever seen including “Tea’s Sex,” the chapter about women "
Oct 12, 2025 04:30PM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Tea by James R. Fichter. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Tea by James R. Fichter <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
David Bruce Smith is now following Rebecca Brenner Graham Author of Dear Miss Perkins: A Story of Frances Perkins's...
Oct 08, 2025 03:08PM · like