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Smith (William Sidney, Sir) Papers
mssHM 39809-39871
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Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: Sir William Sidney Smith papers
Creator:
Smith, W. Sidney (William Sidney), Sir, 1764-1840
Identifier/Call Number: mssHM 39809-39871
Physical Description:
1.2 Linear Feet
(1 box)
Date (inclusive): approximately 1745-1838
Abstract: A collection of material related to Sir
William Sidney Smith, British admiral.
Language of Material: Materials are in English and
French.
Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at
the Huntington Library for more information.
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from
or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The
responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining
necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
[Identification of item]. Sir William Sidney Smith papers, The Huntington Library, San
Marino, California.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Mrs. Hardin Craig, Jr., 1972.
Sir William Sidney Smith (1764-1840) was a British admiral. He entered the navy in 1777 and
was present at the action of Cape St. Vincent in 1780 and Dominica in 1782. He distinguished
himself in the naval operations during the wars of First and Second Anti-French Coalition,
his most famous exploit being the defense of St. Jean d'Acre in 1799. From 1803 to 1807 he
was assigned to duty in the northern Mediterranean. He resigned in 1814, after a year at the
South American station and a final tour in the Mediterranean.
A collection of correspondence and documents relating to naval career of Sir William Sidney
Smith; it includes the British capture and occupation of Cayenne (French Guiana); naval
operations in the Mediterranean, including the capture of the French ship "Fortune" by the
English ships "Tigre" and "Theseus" (1799) and the siege of Acre; Barbary affairs; and Smith
family affairs. Some of the items in the collection are in French; it also includes a round
medal in a wooden box.
Processed by Huntington Library staff in approximately 1975; in March 2024, Gayle M.
Richardson created the finding aid.
Arranged alphabetically.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
First Coalition, War of the, 1792-1797 -- Naval operations
Napoleonic Wars, 1800-1815 -- Naval operations
Second Coalition, War of the, 1798-1801 -- Naval operations
Acre (Israel) -- History -- Siege, 1799
Africa, North -- History -- 1517-1882
Cayenne (French Guiana) -- History
Great Britain -- History -- 18th century
Great Britain -- History -- 19th century
Great Britain -- History, Naval -- 18th century
Great Britain -- History, Naval -- 19th century
Letters (correspondence)
Medallions (Medals)
Personal papers
Fortune (Ship : France)
Theseus (Ship : England)
Tigre (Ship)