He seldom tried Gothic, yet in that style he built the Temple Library, and superintended the restoration of York minster after the fire of 1829. He was for several years one of the architects of the Board of Works, and on the abolition of that office in 1831 he received the honour of knighthood. In 1845 he relinquished further employment, and soon after his office of treasurer to the Royal Academy, which he had held for 30 years, and in 1850 retired to Cheltenham. This was followed, in 1859, to make way for younger men, by the surrender of his diploma as Royal Academician. After so long and prosperous a career, during which he left such important marks of his ability in the Metropolis, he died at Cheltenham, April 18; 1867. He published 'Specimens of Continental Architecture.'
SMIRKE, Richard, antiquarian draftsman. Was born in 1778, and was the elder brother of the above. Like him he was brought up to art, studied in the Royal Academy Schools, and in the same year, 1799, gained the gold medal, in his case for painting, the subject being ( Samson and Delilah.' But he was led from high art to the study of antiquities, particularly of early costume, and was much employed as their draftsman by the Society of Antiquaries. His works were distinfiished by great accuracy and truthfulness, he fac-simile copies of the ancient paintings in St. Stephen's Chapel, Westminster, were made for the Society by him. He had much scientific knowledge, particularly in chemistry, and be made several useful discoveries m the qualities of colours. He died May 5, 1815, m his 37th year.
SMIRKE, Sydney, R.A., F.R.I.B.A., architect. Was born in London in 1798, son of Robert Smirke, R. A., and younger brother of Sir Robert Smirke, in whose office he began his professional career. He gained the gold medal of the Royal Academy in 1819, and the travelling studentship in 1825, going that same year to Italy* He was elected an associate of the Academy in 1847, and a full member in 1859. He was also appointed Professor of Architecture, and on the death of Mr. Hardwick, Treasurer of the Royal Academy. In connexion with his brother he designed the University Club in 1835, and jointly with Mr. Basevi, the Conservative Club in 1844. In 1847 he restored the 'Temple Church,' and published an account of this interesting building, entitled, 'Architecture of the Temple Church.' He was architect to the Hospitals of Bethlehem and Bridewell, and Surveyor General of the Duchy of Lancaster. He built Paper buildings, and partially restored Lichfield Cathedral and York minster. In 1846 he succeeded his brother as architect to the British Museum, and constructed the large Reading-room. On the removal of the Royal Academy to 'Burlington House, he erected the schools and exhibition rooms, and added a storey to the original building. He retired to Tunbridge Wells, and died there, December 3, 1877.
SMITH, Anker, A.R. A., engraver. Was the son of a silk merchant in Cheapside, where he was born in 1759, and' educated at the Merchant Taylors' School. He was articled to his uncle, an eminent conveyancer; but showing great ability in copying engravings with his pen, his uncle was induced to cancel his indentures and transfer him to James Taylor, an engraver, from whom he soon learnt the mechanical part of his art, and then became assistant to James Heath. Some time after he was employed on the plates for Bell's 'Poets ' ana other illustrated works of the same kind. He commenced his art in the dot manner, and in this style executed 10 fine plates for Boydeirs 'Shakespeare,' and was also employed on the 'Ancient Marbles' aud the 'Ancient Terra Cottas,' published by the British Museum. Later he practised in the line manner, and produced another series of plates of great excellence, among them 'The Holy Family,' after Da Vinci; 'A Magdalen,' after Correggio; and 'Sophonisba,' after Titian. He was elected an associate engraver of the Royal Academy in 1797, and died June 23, 1819.
SMITH, Frederick William, sculptor. Was the son of the above, and was born in Pimlico. He studied in the schools of the Royal Academy, and was a pupil and assistant to Sir F. Chantrey. In 1819 and 1820 he exhibited some busts at the Academy, and in 1821 he gained the gold medal for his group 'Haemon and Antigone,' but failed in nis competition for the travelling studentship. In 1824 he exhibited a group from the * Murder of the Innocents, with some busts; in 1825 ' Ajax,' and in 1827 a * Nymph and Cupid.' He exhibited for the last time in 1828. In his busts of Allan Cunningham, Chantrey, and Brunei, the character was well expressed, and he was of much promise; but his health failed, and he died young, at Shrewsbury, January 18, 1835.
SMITH, Herbert Luther, portrait and, subject painter. Born 1811. He was the younger brother of the above, and a student at the Royal Academy. After exhibiting portraits in 1831 and 1832, he exhibited a subject of 'Bonner Requiring the Removal of Cranmer's Bible from the Churches.' He continued to exhibit portraits, sending, also, in 1834, 'Non Angli sed Angeli; ' m 1835, 'Christ Raising the Sick of the Palsy;' in 1838, 'Leonidas;' in 1845, 'Jonah's Impatience Reproved;' in 1846, 'Abraham and Isaac.' These were
400
