Sir William Sidney Smith papers, approximately 1745-1838

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Summary

Creators:
Smith, W. Sidney (William Sidney), Sir, 1764-1840
Abstract:
A collection of material related to Sir William Sidney Smith, British admiral.
Extent:
1.2 Linear Feet (1 box)
Language:
Materials are in English and French.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Sir William Sidney Smith papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

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.

Biographical / historical:

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.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Mrs. Hardin Craig, Jr., 1972.
Processing information:

Processed by Huntington Library staff in approximately 1975; in March 2024, Gayle M. Richardson created the finding aid.

Arrangement:

Arranged alphabetically.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

Terms of access:

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.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Sir William Sidney Smith papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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