Charles Harriott Smith
Charles Harriott Smith was an English architect and architectural sculptor involved in several prestigious projects, ranging from the National Gallery to the Houses of Parliament. His iconic works include the capital of Nelson's Column supporting the statue by Edward Hodges Baily.
His work was influenced by Johann Joachim Winckelmann and architectural work was largely in the Neo-Hellenic style. Despite his undisputed contribution to London's architecture he tends to be a little-known figure.
Life
He was born in London on 1 February 1792, the son of Joseph Smith, a monumental sculptor with premises at 5 Portland Road near Regents Park. Charles left school in 1804 to start an apprenticeship in his father's yard. During his time there he met and befriended Joseph Bonomi. Bonomi encouraged Charles to join the Royal Academy School in 1814. There he won the Gold Medal for Architecture in 1817. He exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1809 to 1823.He studied geology, mineralogy and chemistry and was an expert on stone in a manner which greatly benefited the durability of his work. Due to this expertise, Sir Charles Barry consulted him on the project to rebuild the Houses of Parliament to choose stone most likely to survive the centuries. Smith and Barry formed part of the Royal Commission charged with sourcing sufficient building stone of the same type and quality to befit this huge project. This involved a tour of British quarries and of some of the better preserved abbeys and cathedrals of the country. They ultimately chose a Yorkshire Magnesian Limestone from a large quarry at Anston.
There is reference to his also being involved with hothouse design.
From 1851 he lived at 29 Clipstone Street, Fitzroy Square in London. In 1855 he was elected a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects.
He died at 24 Hatton Garden in London, where he had lived since 1861, on 27 October 1864. He is buried on the western side of Highgate Cemetery. His grave is no longer marked and has a large tree growing directly over it.
Principal works
- Corinthian columns and architectural detail for portico at University College, London
- Portico, National Gallery, London
- Portico, Royal Exchange, London
- Bridgewater House, Westminster for Sir Charles Barry
- Dorchester House demolished 1929
- The capital of Nelson's Column
- Chapel at City of London Cemetery
- Museum of Practical Geology, Jermyn Street
Funerary work
- Obelisk to William Staveley, Kensal Green Cemetery
- Tomb of Edward Scriven, Kensal Green Cemetery
- Grave of A R Freebairn Highgate Cemetery
- Grave of Jonathan Pereira Kensal Green Cemetery
Other works
- Bust of Rev Edward J Turnour of Hambledon, Hampshire
- "Farnese Hercules" at the Geological Museum
- Monument to Giles Earle at Hendon, Middlesex
- Monument to Nathaniel Crichton at Hendon, Middlesex
- Monument to Robert Cotton at Reigate in Surrey
- Lt Col Fitzgerald St Marylebone Parish Church
- Rebecca Phipps St Marylebone Parish Church
- Henry Moreton Dyer St Marylebone Parish Church
- Countess Beauchamp St Marylebone Parish Church
- Elizabeth Peters in Badby
- John Francis in Badby
- Lt General George Deare St John's Wood Chapel
- Charles Higginson in Madras Cathedral
- Margaret Randall at Erith in Kent
- Monument to the Stuckey family in Langport, Somerset
- Rev Charles Tower at South Weald in Essex
- William Sleigh at Stockton, Durham
- Georgina Chamier at Stoke-next-Guildford in Surrey
- Anthony Parker at Churchgate Street in Essex
- Rev Edward Meyrick at Ramsbury
- Richard Alsager at Tooting
- Rev Francis Goode in Clapham Parish Church
- John Garden at Ringsfield in Suffolk
- Henry Hickman at Newnham, Hampshire
Publications by Smith
- Lithology or Observations on Stones used for Buildings
Family
- William Riviere Smith an artist
- Henry Parsons Riviere Smith a watercolorist
- Robert Riviere Smith a book-binder
- Percy Gordon Smith, architect