:::To describe Smith as a critic of Ibn al-Haytham totally misunderstands Smith's academic career. After studying with Lindberg, he produced the first critical edition of the Latin version of Alhacen's principal optical work, translated it into English, and also wrote many works spelling out Alhacen's influence on the development of optics in medieval Europe. Smith knows Alhacen's work far better than some of the overenthusiastic popularizers. He is one of the most highly qualified sources on Ibn al-Haytham.