James Allan Smith

The Very Rev James Allan Smith, DD (also spelled Alan; 2 August 1841 – November 1918) was the fifth Dean^[1] of St David's.^[2]

Smith was born into an ecclesiastical family in Pyecombe ^[3] on 2 August 1841 and educated at Wadham College and ordained in 1864. He was initially Curate of Trinity Church, St Marylebone and then Vicar of Holy Trinity, Nottingham. Moving to Wales he was successively Vicar of Swansea, Rural Dean of East Gower, Vicar of Hay, Chancellor of St David’s Cathedral and Canon Residentiary before his elevation to the Deanery in 1904.^[4] He died in post during November 1918.^[5]

Smith married Charlotte Isabella Linton (who died on 5 February 1900, in her 63rd year^[6]), eldest daughter of Revd. Henry Linton, of Stertloe, Buckden, Huntingdon, and Hon. Canon of Christ Church, Oxford. Their son was the Rt Revd Linton Smith, Bishop of Warrington, of Hereford and then of Rochester.

References

1. Although an ancient foundation, before 1840 the senior residentiary cleric was the Precentor, and not a Dean, due to a complication during the dissolution of the monasteries > “Eglwys Gadeiriol Tyddewi, 1181-1981 / St David’s Cathedral, 1181-1981” St David’s, Gwasg yr Oriel Fach, 1981 ISBN 0-905421-02-7
2. ”The Clergy List” London, Kelly’s, 1913
3. His father was the Revd James Allan Smith, Rector of the parish > Who was Who (1991) Who was who. A cumulated index 1897-1990, CD-ROM, London : A & C Black, ISBN 0-7136-3457-X
4. Cathedral web-site
5. The Times, Saturday, Nov 30, 1918; pg. 11; Issue 41961; col B The Dean Of St. David's.
6. "Deaths" The Times (London). Wednesday, 7 February 1900. (36059), p. 11.