William Henry Smith. Bookseller and politician. The son in "W. H. Smith and Son". He introduced the W. H. Smith stalls at railway stations and the business thrived. Entered politics in 1868. Appointed First Lord of the Admiralty when he had little naval experience and so thought to be the model for Sir Joseph (ruler-of-the-Queen's-Nav-ee) Porter in Gilbert & Sullivan's 'H.M.S. Pinafore'. Promoted the Baconian Theory, the idea that Francis Bacon wrote the plays commonly attributed to Shakespeare. Father of Lord Hambleden.
This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
W. H. Smith
Commemorated ati
W. H. Smith - W2
London County Council W. H. Smith, 1825 - 1891, bookseller and statesman, li...
Other Subjects
Thornton's Corner
A retail business established by Tom William Thornton and run by his family for over 70 years. The premises (nos 100 - 110) sold stationery, newspapers, books and artists materials, and provided va...
1 memorial
Manor House Tavern
The area was built up during the middle part of the nineteenth century and known as Woodberry Down. The first tavern on the site was built by Stoke Newington builder Thomas Widdows, 1830-4 next t...
1 memorial
1 memorial
Julian Metcalfe
Co-founder of Pret a Manger with Sinclair Beecham, who he met at the Polytechnic of Central London. Also founded the itsu chain of Asian-inspired restaurants.
1 memorial
Hugh Shearer and Co.
De Lank Quarries have a Wikipedia page but Hugh Shearer and Co. are more mysterious. Probably the firm that owned the quarry at the time and/or carved the monument. 2025: Mr Little confirmed our t...
1 memorial
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