Sir Francis William SMITH [28800]

  General Notes:

SIR FRANCIS WILLIAM SMITH, KNT. Sir F. W. Smith was born in Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin, in 1809. He .was the son of Joshua Smith, barrister, by his wife, Maria, youngest daughter of Sir Parker Steele, Bart., of Merrion Square, Dublin. Sir F. W. Smith's family had been settled in Ireland since the Commonwealth, On the 11th April, 1822, he was apprenticed to Abraham Colles, and he studied in the College School during five years, and was a pupil at Steevens' Hospital. He graduated in the University as B.A. in 1828, and as M.A. and M.B. in 1831. On the 13th April, 1831, he obtained the Licence, and on the 15th August, 1835, the Membership of the College. In 1833 Smith was appointed Lecturer on Medicine in the School of Medicine, 27 Peter Street. In 1836 he went abroad for some time, and whilst at Florence made the acquaintance of Lord Mulgrave (afterwards created Marquis of Normanby), who was struck with Smith's performances in some amateur theatricals. When Smith returned to Dublin he settled down to practice, and took the house 25 Baggot Street. Lord Normanby, who was appointed Viceroy in 1835, made Smith his physician, and soon afterwards conferred knighthood upon him. In 1839, after the departure of the Marquis from Dublin, Sir Francis removed to Paris, where he soon attained to a good practice amongst the British residents and visitors. He died on the 16th December. 1840, from scarlet fever, after an Illness of three days' duration, in the Rue Royale. His wife (nee Sophia Hackett) survived him for many years.
In 1835 Sir Francis published in Dublin a pamphlet on " A Peculiar Disease of the Caecum. Whilst a student in Steevens' Hospital, Smith fought a duel with Mr. P. Maxwell Cullinan, a fellow-student. About 1828 Mr. Richard Chenevix visited Dublin for the purpose of giving demonstrations in mesmerism. He visited Steevens' Hospital for this purpose, and Mr. J. W. Cusack directed Mr. Cullinan, his apprentice, to select from amongst the pupils some eligible subjects for the demonstrations. This being done, about eight students including the late Charles Lever, the novelist, who at that time was a resident pupil in the hospital assembled in Mr. Cullinan's room to witness the performance. Mr. Chenevix requested that the number of spectators should be reduced to two, in order to maintain that quietness which was an essential element in the success of his performances. Mr. Cullinan requested the withdrawal of those whose attendance at a lecture about to be delivered was not necessary, in order that those who were required to attend it should first have the opportunity of witnessing the performance. Mr Smith refused to leave, and an unpleasant altercation having ensued, Mr. Cullinan requested Mr. Smith to go out into the corridor with him. Mr Cullinan, under the influence of strong emotion, became very pale, which being noticed by Mr. Smith, he exclaimed loudly "How pale the cowardly fellow is." Mr. Cullinan thereupon struck him with his open hand upon his face, saying" That is the only answer I can give to your observation." In a few minutes the hospital porter brought Mr. Cullinan a note from Mr. Smith, challenging him to a hostile meeting. Charles Lever was successively solicited by both belligerents to act as a second, but declined. At this time Mr. Cullinan was a Scholar of T.C.D., and as the statutes of the College provided for the expulsion of students who fought duels, he was anxious to keep the Board of T.C.D. in ignorance of the intended renconire. Meeting Mr Smith on his way to lecture, he stopped and requested him not to mention the proposed duel in such a way that the Board might obtain cognizance of it, whereupon Mr. Smith said that he was a very impertinent fellow to address him. Next morning at six o'clock the "affair" came off in the Phoenix Park, Capt. Cruikshank acting as "second" to Mr. Smith, and Capt. Beatty officiating in a similar capacity for Mr. Cullinan. Shots were exchanged, but neither" principal" was struck. Mr. Smith's second said that he was satisfied, but Captain Beatty said that he was not, as his principal had been insulted by Mr. Smith after that gentleman had delivered his challenge. Ultimately hostilities terminated on Mr. Smith expressing regret for having insulted Mr. CuIlinan, and apologising for his conduct. Mr. Cullinan in due time became M.D., F.R.C.S.L, J.P. He long resided at Ennis.
History of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland pg. 817

Francis married Sophia HACKETT [28801] [MRIN: 10195].