ADMIRAL SIR [WILLIAM] SIDNEY SMITH

an autograph letter to Sir Marc Isambard Brunel, in French, Paris, 12 May 1834, in which Smith thanks Brunel for his effigy by David d'Angers and encloses his own Everybody says it looks older than me, but every day it more closely resembles me on account of my burning candle at both ends; two pages -- 10 x 8in. (25 x 20cm.); together with a repoussé bronze plaque of Smith signed and dated David 18[34?], within a carved wooden frame -- 9½in. (24cm.) diam.

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Sidney Smith (1764-1840) was overshadowed by Nelson but was a highly decorated naval officer who saw service at some of the key moments of the Napoleonic Wars (including the Battles of Cape St. Vincent, Chesapeake and Saintes, and was at the Siege of Acre) and whose acts of heroism and exploits in France inspired several 'Hornblower' stories. Following the peace in 1815 (where he attended the Congress of Vienna) he took up the anti-Slavery cause, especially against the Barbary Pirates then operating out of North African waters raiding European coastal settlements. He became MP for Rochester and also reached the rank of Admiral in July 1821 while living in France whither he had removed in about 1815 (to avoid debts) and where he spent the rest of his life. It is not known how he met Brunel, the father of his more significant son, but he was a fine engineer in his own right and began the celebrated tunnel under the Thames, finished by IKB. He corresponded with Davy and Faraday and was instrumental in helping Babbage with his calculating machine. He was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1811 and knighted in 1838.

Condition Report

letter stained and damaged with loss at the fore margin

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