Sydney Smith (1771-1845), Wit and Canon of St Paul's
Sitter associated with 9 portraits
A clergyman, essayist and social reformer, Smith founded the Whig Edinburgh Review with Francis Jeffrey and Henry Brougham in 1802. For the next twenty-five years he used this periodical as an organ for his liberal views on educational reform, the slave trade and the Irish situation. Smith was perhaps the most celebrated wit of his age and an exuberant member of the Holland House set. His humorous Letters to Peter Plymley (1807-8) supported Catholic emancipation. Although later appointed Canon of St Paul's Cathedral, his hopes for a bishopric were frustrated by his public reputation as an enlightened Whig.
replica by Henry Perronet Briggs
oil on canvas, 1840 (1833)
On display in Room 20 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 1475
by Sir Edwin Henry Landseer
ink and wash, circa 1835
NPG 2887
by Sir Edwin Henry Landseer
pen and wash, circa 1835
NPG 4917
by Samuel Freeman, published by T. Cadell & W. Davies, after John Wright
stipple engraving, published 4 February 1817
NPG D7661
by Daniel Maclise, published by James Fraser
lithograph, 1838
NPG D6786
by William Sharp, printed by Charles Joseph Hullmandel, published by Joseph Dickinson, after John Hayter
lithograph, published 20 April 1835
NPG D41764
Dives and Lazarus (Charles James Blomfield; William Howley; Sydney Smith)
by John Doyle, printed by Alfred Ducôte, published by Thomas McLean
lithograph, published 7 October 1840
NPG D41590
by William Greatbach, after Eden Upton Eddis
line engraving, published 1850
NPG D41763
Religion and Belief
Groups
Founders of the Royal Institute of Great Britain
Holland House set
Ministers and preachers
Regency popular and periodical press
Regency Whigs
Place
London
Thematic collections
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