Biographies A-Z

Smith, Joseph Denham (1816/17–1889), preacher, was born in Romsey, Hampshire, England, either in 1816 or in July 1817. His mother's maiden name was Denham; other details of his family are unknown. Educated in the Dublin Theological Institute, under the care of…

Smith, Louis Patrick Frederick (1923–2012), agricultural economist and academic, was born on 21 December 1923 in Kevit Castle in Crossdoney, Co. Cavan, the youngest of eight children of Dr Frederick Paul Smith, a farmer and ophthalmologist of Kevit Castle, and his wife Isabella (née…

Smith, (Mabel) Olive (1906–93) music campaigner and founder of the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland, was born 19 June 1906 in Dublin, youngest of three daughters of Charles E. Richardson of 47 Kenilworth Square, Rathgar, Dublin, merchant and wholesale grocer, and his wife Alice…

Smith, Michael (1942–2014) poet, translator, editor and publisher, was born in the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, on 1 September 1942, one of two boys and four girls to Michael Smith, a dock worker, and his wife Catherine (née O’Callaghan). Growing up, Smith lived in the family flat at St…

This is a co-subject for the entry on Smith, Sir William Cusack. View the original entry.

Smith, Patrick (‘Paddy’) (1901–82), IRA volunteer and politician, was born 17 July 1901 in Tunnyduff, Bailieborough, Co. Cavan, eighth and youngest child of Terence Smith, farmer, and Ellen Smith (née MacManus). Educated at the local national school to the age of 14, he left school to…

Smith, Paul (1920–97), writer, was born 4 October 1920 at 4 Masterson Lane (off Charlemont St.), Dublin, one of ten children of Edward Smith, wheelwright, and Kate Smith (née O'Brien), originally of Co. Wicklow. His father, who had served in the British army during the first world…

Smith, Robert William (1807–73), surgeon, was born 12 October 1807 in Dublin, son of George Smith, an Englishman, and Isabella Smith (née Allman), a member of a talented Anglo-Irish family. He studied at TCD, taking his…

Smith, Sir Thomas (1512–77), officer of state, author, and colonial projector, was born at Saffron Walden, Essex, son of John Smith, high sheriff of Essex and Hertfordshire, and Agnes Charnock. He entered Queens' College, Cambridge, in 1526, and was made king's scholar (1527) and…

Smith, Sir William Cusack (1766–1836), 2nd baronet, politician, judge, was born 23 January 1766 in Dublin, eldest son of Sir Michael Smith and his first wife, Mary (d. 1798), daughter and heiress of James Cusack of Ballyronan, Co. Wicklow, and Coolmines, Co. Dublin. His father Sir…

Smithson, Annie M(ary) P(atricia) (1873–1948), author, nurse, republican, and trade unionist, was born Margaret Anne Jane Smithson 26 September 1873 at 22 Claremont Rd, Sandymount, Dublin, daughter of Samuel Raynor Smithson, a protestant, unionist barrister, and Margaret Louisa…

Smithson, Harriet Constance (1800–54), actress and wife of Hector Berlioz , was born 18 March 1800 in Ennis, Co. Clare, daughter of William Joseph Smithson, actor and theatrical manager, originally from Gloucestershire, England. Details of her mother are scarce and she is usually…

This is a co-subject for the entry on Smith, Stephen Catterson. View the original entry.

Smith, Stephen Catterson (1806–72), portrait painter, was born 12 March 1806 at Skipton, Craven, Yorkshire, England, son of Joseph Smith, coach painter, and his wife Anne, daughter of Stephen Catterson of Gowflat, Yorks. His studies in art began at the Royal Academy Schools (1821),…

This is a co-subject for the entry on Smith, Sir Thomas. View the original entry.

Smith, Thomas Berry Cusack (1795–1866), attorney general, was born 15 November 1795, second son of Sir William Cusack Smith (qv), politician, judge, and baron of the Irish exchequer, and his wife, Hester, daughter of Thomas…

Smith, Vincent Arthur (1848–1920), Indian civil servant, historian, and writer, was born 3 June 1848 in Dublin, fifth son of Aquilla Smith (qv), physician, professor in the School of Physic and antiquarian, of Dublin and Nenagh, Co.…

This is a co-subject for the entry on Smith, Aquilla. View the original entry.

Smitz (Smith, Smits), Gaspar (Caspar) (c.1635–1688?), portrait and still life painter, was of Flemish or Dutch origin and arrived in England soon after the restoration of Charles II in 1660. With the appointment of James Butler (…

This is a co-subject for the entry on Smurfit, (John) Jefferson. View the original entry.

Smurfit, (John) Jefferson Snr (1909–77), industrialist and businessman, was born 24 March 1909, the son of a Sunderland shipyard worker. He was ten when his father, John, died painfully at home from diabetes, leaving a widow and three small children. To support her family Ellen…

This is a co-subject for the entry on Smyllie, Robert Maire. View the original entry.

Smyllie, Robert Maire (1893–1954), journalist and editor of the Irish Times, was born 20 March 1893 at Hill St., Shettleton, Glasgow, eldest among four sons and one daughter of Robert Smyllie (fl. 1900), a presbyterian, and Elisabeth Follis, originally from Cork…

Smyly, Ellen (1814–1901), philanthropist, was born 14 November 1814, third daughter among seven children of Mathew Franks (1768–1853) of Jerpoint, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny, and 28 Merrion Square, Dublin, and Mary Franks (née Fergusson; d. 1856). Ellen began her charity work in…

This is a co-subject for the entry on Smyly, Sir William Josiah. View the original entry.