William Henry Smith (politician)

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The Rt Hon. W.H. Smith

William Henry Smith (24 June 1825–6 October 1891) was the son of William Henry Smith (1792-1865). He was born in London and educated at Tavistock Grammar School before joining the business with his father in 1846. As a result of his involvement, the business became a household name (W H Smith), and the practice of selling books and newspapers at railway stations began. In 1868 he was elected Member of Parliament for Westminster as a Conservative, and was appointed Financial Secretary to the Treasury six years later when Disraeli returned as Prime Minister. In 1877 he became First Lord of the Admiralty.The appointment gave rise to the character of Sir Joseph Porter, KCB, in Gilbert and Sullivan's comic opera H.M.S. Pinafore). W. S. Gilbert's Pinafore lyrics are scathing:

I grew so rich that I was sent

By a pocket borough into Parliament.

I always voted at my party's call,

And I never thought of thinking for myself at all.

I thought so little, they rewarded me

By making me the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!

Smith would be known by the derisive nickname "Pinafore Smith" during his three years in the post of First Lord. Smith held this office for three years until the Liberals returned to power.

In 1885 he exchanged his Westminster seat for that of the Strand division of London, and served as Chief Secretary for Ireland for a short period in the following year. He was twice Secretary of State for War, the first time during Lord Salisbury's brief ministry between 1885 and 1886, and the second when the Conservatives won the 1886 General Election. He succeeded this appointment in 1887 as First Lord of the Treasury and Leader of the House of Commons, and became Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports in 1891, dying shortly afterwards at Walmer Castle. His widow was created Viscountess Hambleden. One of the few ministers personally close to Lord Salisbury (apart from the latter's nephew Arthur Balfour), Smith was dubbed "Old Morality" due to his austere manner and conduct.

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