Person    | Male  Born 24/6/1825  Died 6/10/1891

W. H. Smith

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...

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Other Subjects

Ignatius Sancho

Ignatius Sancho

Writer, shopkeeper and socialite. Born on a slave ship bound for the West Indies (his birth year is approximate). His first name was Charles, but he was baptised Ignatius. His mother died soon afte...

Person, Commerce, Literature, Race Issues

2 memorials
scientific life assurance

scientific life assurance

Equitable Life, the world's oldest mutual insurer, started business in 1762 in the parsonage of St Nicholas Acons in Nicholas Lane. It pioneered scientific life assurance by basing premiums on age ...

Concept, Commerce, Science

1 memorial
original HMV store

original HMV store

Londonist writes: "The building was destroyed on Boxing Day 1937 and reopened in 1939. HMV's flagship store moved (slightly) to 150 Oxford Street, but the old address was reacquired in 2013, and re...

Place, Commerce, Music / songs

1 memorial
George Hay and Company

George Hay and Company

Chartered accountants and registered auditors. They are based at the same address as the plaque and presumably contributed to its erection.

Group, Commerce

1 memorial