Wall tablet in St Mary’s, Portsea Island, Portsmouth dedicated to William Henry Smith. d. 1891
Location
St Mary's, Portsea Island, Portsmouth, England
Transcript
"TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN MEMORY OF / THE RIGHT HONOURABLE / WILLIAM HENRY SMITH. M.P. / FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY 1877-1880. / FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY 1887-1891. / BORN JUNE 24th 1825. AT REST OCT 6th 1891 / BY WHOSE MUNIFICENT BENEFACTIONS THIS CHURCH / WAS MAINLY BUILT AND TO WHOSE UNFAILING / SYMPATHY AND WISE COUNCIL THE PARISH OF PORTSEA OWES A DEBT WHICH IT CAN NEVER PAY / THIS WINDOW WAS DEDICATED ON THE FESTIVAL OF ALL SAINTS NOV 1st 1892"
Details
Description: Ornate marble window dedication plate.
Type: Wall tablet
Materials: Marble
Date Erected: 1892
Type: Wall tablet
Materials: Marble
Date Erected: 1892
People
Smith, William Henry
Age: 66
Date of Death: 1891
Cause of Death: unknown
Rank / Occupation: M.P.
Organisation: Government Minister
Age: 66
Date of Death: 1891
Cause of Death: unknown
Rank / Occupation: M.P.
Organisation: Government Minister
Extra
Notes: William Henry Smith is most commonly associated with both, the chain of stationary stores 'W.H. Smiths' and also the character of 'Sir Joseph Porter' in Gilbert and Sullivan's, 1878, comic opera 'HMS Pinafore'.
Despite never having served a day at sea, William Henry Smith rose, uniquely, to become First Lord of the Admiralty despite his lack of any naval experience.
Following his death in 1891 his widow and decedents were granted the hereditary title of Viscount Hambleden.
Despite never having served a day at sea, William Henry Smith rose, uniquely, to become First Lord of the Admiralty despite his lack of any naval experience.
Following his death in 1891 his widow and decedents were granted the hereditary title of Viscount Hambleden.