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