Sir William Sidney Smith papers, 1794-1862 (MS 267)

 

The papers of Admiral Sir William Sidney Smith, who excelled as a commando-type raider and was at his best in combining land and sea operations, and broke Napoleon's siege at Acre. This is a small sampling of digitized letters taken from the full physical collection.

The bulk of the letters in the larger physical collection, which is available at the Woodson Research Center, concern Smith's brother, John Spencer Smith, who was British ambassador to the Porte at Constantinople in the early 1790s. Correspondents include Robert Liston, British Minister to the United States. Also included is a genealogy of the Smith family, a battle order issued by Smith aboard HMS Tigre during the siege at Acre in 1799, and an invitation to the funeral of the Duke of Wellington.

Recent Submissions

  • Capture of the H. M. Sloop El Vincego 

    Smith, George Sidney (1804)

  • Orders to Captain Prowse 

    Smith, William Sidney, Sir (1806-12-05)
    This item is part of the William Sidney Smith Papers. The bulk of the letters concern Smith's brother, John Spencer Smith, who was British ambassador to the Porte at Constantinople in the early 1790s. Correspondents include ...

  • The Times description of the Battle of Trafalgar 

    The Times (London) (1805-11-07)
    This item is part of the William Sidney Smith Papers. The bulk of the letters concern Smith's brother, John Spencer Smith, who was British ambassador to the Porte at Constantinople in the early 1790s. Correspondents include ...

  • Letter from Sir William Sidney Smith to Sir John Stuart 

    Smith, William Sidney, Sir (1806-08-25)
    This item is part of the William Sidney Smith Papers. The bulk of the letters concern Smith's brother, John Spencer Smith, who was British ambassador to the Porte at Constantinople in the early 1790s. Correspondents include ...

  • Letter from Sir William Sidney Smith to Sir John Stuart 

    Smith, William Sidney, Sir (1806-07-24)
    This item is part of the William Sidney Smith Papers. The bulk of the letters concern Smith's brother, John Spencer Smith, who was British ambassador to the Porte at Constantinople in the early 1790s. Correspondents include ...