Edward Tyrrel Smith

Edward Tyrrel Smith (1804–1877) was a versatile British entrepreneur and showman, best known as an opera and theatrical manager.^[1]

Life

He was the illegitimate son of the Irish naval officer Edward Tyrrell Smith (died 1824).^[1] His mother is supposed to be Charlotte Atkyns, with whom Smith had two children.^[2] Clement Scott gives the anecdote that he was about to sail as a midshipman with Lord Cochrane, when his mother objected.^[3]

For a period of the 1840s, Smith took over the London premises of Crockford's in St James's Street, and ran a restaurant there. He was also involved in attempts to revive the popularity of Vauxhall Gardens.^[1]

Smith began two decades in theatre management by leasing the

The 1870s saw Smith take one year at the Surrey Theatre, and then diversify into music hall and the restaurant trade. He died on 26 November 1877 at home, Oval House in Kennington Park.^[1]

Family

Smith married Madeline Hanette Gengoult, and was father of Louis Smith.^[5] He married again, late in life.^[1]

Notes