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Gerard Smith
Photo: Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons13

Gerard Smith

Governor of Western Australia (1839–1920)

Lieutenant Colonel Sir Gerard Smith, (12 December 1839 – 28 October 1920), a member of the Smith and Carington family, was a business leader, politician, and Governor of Western Australia from 1895 to 1900.2

From Wikipedia’s article on Gerard Smith (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Born Dec 12, 1839, died Oct 28, 1920.1

Companies

Early life and education

Gerard Smith was born on 12 December 1839 in Pimlico, London. He was the third son of Martin Tucker Smith (1803–1880), politician, banker and director of the East India Co., and Louisa (Ridley) Smith.

His paternal grandfather was John Smith (1767–1842), a banker and Tory Member of Parliament, and his maternal grandfather was Matthew White Ridley, a baronet.

From Wikipedia’s article on Gerard Smith (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Career

Occupation: politician.6

  • 1895 to 1900Governor of Western Australia4
  • 1883 to 1885Member of the 22nd Parliament of the United Kingdom4 5
  • Date not recordedFounded Hull and Barnsley Railway3

Smith joined the Royal Scots Fusiliers as an ensign in 1857 and briefly saw service in Canada, retiring from the army in 1874. He joined the family bank, Samuel Smith, Bros. & Co., and went on to become a business leader in Kingston-upon-Hull, being instrumental in the formation of the Hull and Barnsley Railway in 1880. He succeeded his second cousin William Carington as a Liberal MP for Wycombe from 1883 to 1885, and was a Groom in Waiting to Queen Victoria in the same period.

In 1895, Smith was appointed Governor of Western Australia and knighted. He served as Governor until 1900.

From Wikipedia’s article on Gerard Smith (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Personal life

  • BornDec 12, 1839, London7
  • DiedOct 28, 1920, London8
  • CitizenshipUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland9
  • SpouseIsabella Chatelaine Hamilton married 187110

Awards

  • Date not recordedKnight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George11

Sources

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