Joshua Smith (1732 – 20 March 1819) was an English merchant and politician.

He was born the son of John Smith, a Lambeth merchant and became a timber merchant himself. He lived at Erlestoke Park, near Devizes, Wiltshire. He became a director of the East India Company in 1771, and was Member of Parliament (MP) for Devizes from 1788 to 1818, although not an active member.

Joshua Smith (English politician)

In 1766 he married Sarah, the daughter of Nathaniel Gilbert, judge and member of the legislative council of Antigua, with whom he had four daughters. Their eldest daughter Maria married in 1787 Charles Compton, 1st Marquess of Northampton.

Joshua Smith (English politician)

Smith died on 20 March 1819. Subsequently, his Erlestoke seat was sold to George Watson-Taylor. Smith's library was sold at auction by Edward Jeffery on 25 May 1820 and eight following days, in 1671 lots. Two copies of the catalogue exist at Cambridge University Library, one of them annotated in a contemporary hand "offered to G. Watson Taylor Esq. MP for £2500 – sold for upwards of £4000", suggesting the library was offered to Watson Taylor too, but that he declined to acquire it.

Joshua Smith (English politician)

See also

Spencer-Smith Baronets

References

1732 births

1819 deaths

Members of the Parliament of Great Britain for English constituencies

Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for English constituencies

UK MPs 1801–1802

UK MPs 1802–1806

UK MPs 1806–1807

UK MPs 1807–1812

UK MPs 1812–1818

Directors of the British East India Company

British MPs 1784–1790

British MPs 1790–1796

British MPs 1796–1800