The William Cunningham Smith Papers date from 1897 to 1952 and consist of class notes, the texts of talks delivered about literature and the Bible, correspondence, biographical material, programs, clippings, and manuscripts.

Documents include: extensive notes for Dr. Smith's literature classes at Woman's College and for his talks on Robert Browning; handwritten and typed texts of a number of his speeches, many of which honored his colleagues in the field of education and other notable North Carolinians; two manuscripts of the biographical sketch, "Charles Duncan McIver" (published in The Biographical History of North Carolina from Colonial Times to the Present); other biographical data on McIver; a copy of the memorial volume, Charles Duncan McIver, with hand-written corrections and annotations; manuscripts of a lecture entitled Jonah, for his men's bible class; and drafts of historical essays entitled Eli Washington Caruthers, The Scotch-Irish in North Carolina, and Genesis of NC College for Women.

Included are notes, explanations of Bible passages, and texts of lectures on various Bible verses and chapters. The majority of these are from the Gospel of St. John. Two related items concern the teaching of the Bible in the public schools of Chattanooga, Tennessee, by JP McCallie, and an essay entitled The Influence of the Presbyterian Church in North Carolina in the 18th Century (no author noted).

Correspondence dates from 1909 to1942 and is concerned with the men's bible class taught by Dr. Smith, guest speakers at other local churches, and letters both inquiring about and praising Smith's speaking engagements and publications. Also of note is a letter from Laura Worth at Guilford College concerning the genealogy of the family of the Reverend Daniel Worth, a Methodist Minister who was imprisoned in Guilford County for circulating abolitionist literature in 1857.

Also included are biographical information and clippings. The clippings concern the Browning lectures and bible class mentioned above, other public lectures, obituaries, and miscellaneous items.