Africa miscellanea

James Carmichael Smith (1852-1919) was born in the Bahamas where his father, who was originally from Yorkshire, had shipping interests. His mother was of French origin. After an education at Nassau Grammar School, Smith spent four and a half years at sea, and is thought to have taught in New York for a short period. On his return to Nassau he entered government service, and was appointed Chief Clerk and Storekeeper of the Imperial Treasury and (Military) Commissariat Departments in 1876. In 1882 he was elected a member of the House of Assembly for Western District, New Providence, a seat he held for seven years. In 1884 he became a Life Fellow of the Royal Colonial Institute. He was a member of the Bahamas Board of Education, 1886-1892, and Postmaster, 1889-1893. In 1896 Smith moved to Sierra Leone, where he was Assistant Postmaster in Sierra Leone, 1896-1900, and Postmaster-General and Manager of the General Savings Bank, 1900-1911. He also served as Collector of Customs, 1902-1903, and Colonial Treasurer, 1906-1907. After his retirement in December 1911 he moved to Jersey, and then London, where he died on 4 October 1919.

Correspondence between D.H. Simpson, R.C.S. Librarian, Kathleen Walton Smith, Dr Ian Duffield and others, 1971-1972, regarding the career of James Carmichael Smith; a xerox copy of Smith's pamphlet 'Impressions of Sierra Leone', 1897; a copy of an address to Smith on his retirement as Postmaster-General of Sierra Leone, 1912; a note concerning Smith; miscellaneous related papers.

Presented by Miss Kathleen Walton Smith, daughter of James Carmichael Smith, 1971-1972.

'Mr Smith of the Colonial Service' in 'Royal Commonwealth Society library notes', no. 181 (May 1972), pp. 1-3, describes James Carmichael Smith's career.

The R.C.S. Photograph Collection includes Smith's photographs and postcards, Y30446.

Donald H. Simpson, ed., 'The manuscript catalogue of the library of the Royal Commonwealth Society' (London, 1975), p. 90. Indexed