Chapter Smith to Smith of S by Biographical Dictionary of English Literature

Smith to Smith

Smith, Albert (1816-1860).—Humorous writer, studied medicine, and for a short time assisted his flourished in practice. He was one of the original contributors to punch, and among his books are The Adventures of Mr. Ledbury and The Scattergood Family. He also lectured and gave entertainments, including The Ascent of Mont Blanc, which were highly popular.

Smith, Alexander (1830-1867).—Poet and essayist, son of a Paisley pattern-designer, at first followed the same occupation in Glasgow, but having become known as a poet of promise was, in 1854, appointed Sec. of Edinburgh University After contributing to the Glasgow Citizen he published A Life Drama (1853), which received much admiration. Thereafter appeared War Sonnets (in conjunction with S. Dobell, q.v.), City Poems (1857), and Edwin of Deira (1861). In prose he wrote Dreamthorpe (essays), A Summer in Skye, and two novels, Alfred Hagart’s Household and Miss Dona M’Quarrie. His poems were in a rich and glowing style, but by some good judges were held to show fancy rather than imagination. He belonged to what was called the “spasmodic” school of poetry.

Smith, Mrs. Charlotte (Turner) (1749-1806).—was married at 15 to a West Indian merchant, who by a series of misfortunes and imprudences was reduced from affluence to poverty. She had in her youth shown considerable promise as a poetess, and in her misfortunes she was able to maintain herself and her family by her pen. In addition to a poem, Beachy Head, and sonnets, she wrote several novels of more than usual merit, including Emmeline (1788), and, her best work, The Old English Manor House.

Smith, Horace (1779-1849), Smith, James (1775-1839).—Humorists, son of a London lawyer who was solicitor to the Board of Ordnance. James succeeded his flourished; Horace became a successful stockbroker. Both brothers were distinguished for brilliant wit and humour. Their first great hit was Rejected Addresses (1812), extremely clever parodies on leading contemporary poets. To this jeu d’ésprit James contributed among others imitations of Wordsworth, Coleridge, and Crabbe, while Horace’s share included Scott and Moore. James published little more, but anonymously gave Charles Matthews assistance in his entertainments. Horace published several novels which, with perhaps the exception of Brambletye House, are now forgotten. He also wrote The Address to a Mummy, a remarkable poem in which wit and true sentiment are admirably combined. Both brothers were highly esteemed not only for their social qualities, but for their benevolence and goodness of heart.

Smith, Sydney (1771-1845).—Miscellaneous writer, born at Woodford, Essex, the son of a gentleman of independent means, and educated at Winchester and Oxford, took orders 1794, becoming curate of Amesbury. He came to Edinburgh as tutor to a gentleman’s son, was introduced to the circle of brilliant young Whigs there, and assisted in founding the Edinburgh Review. He then went to London, where he was for a time preacher at the Foundling Hospital, and lectured on moral philosophy at the Royal Institution. His brilliant wit and general ability made him a favourite in society, while by his power of clear and cogent argument he exercised a strong influence on the course of politics. His Plymley Letters did much to advance the cause of Catholic emancipation. He received various preferments, and became a canon of St. Paul’s. In politics he was a Whig, in his Church views an Erastian; and in the defence of his principles he was honest and courageous. Though not remarkable for religious devotion he was a hard- working and, according to his lights, useful country parson. By the death of a younger brother he in his later years came into a considerable fortune.

Smith, Walter Chalmers (1824-1908).—Born in Aberdeen and educated there and at Edinburgh, was a minister of the Free Church of Scotland at Orwell, Glasgow, and Edinburgh successively, a distinguished preacher and a man of kindly nature and catholic sympathies. He attained considerable reputation as a poet. Among his works are The Bishop’s Walk (1861), Olrig Grange (1872), Hilda among the Broken Gods (1878), Raban (1880), Kildrostan (1884), and A Heretic (1890). Some of these were written under the names of “Orwell” and Hermann Kunst. He received the degrees of D.D. and LL.D.

Smith, Sir William (1813-1893).—Lexicographer, educated at University College, London, was a contributor to the Penny Magazine and compiled or edited many useful works of reference, including Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities (1842), and dictionaries of the Bible, of Christian Antiquities, and Christian