Frank Edward Smith, 1876-1970

Abstract

Frank Edward Smith died on 1 July 1970 in his ninety-fourth year. He was astonishingly active in mind and body up until about six years before his death. Unfortunately like many busy people, he left practically no records of his life and work. The author of this biographical memoir was 28 years his junior and never knew him except by sight and reputation. Accordingly he has had to rely on the generous help of others, mostly those who worked under Sir Frank in one or other of his various activities. F.E., as he was affectionately known at the Admiralty, was a remarkable example of a scientist who successfully turned to administration. He was an outstanding builder of scientific organizations, leaving his impact on the Admiralty, the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, on the Royal Society, on Anglo-Iranian Oil, on Birmingham Small Arms—the list is almost endless. Fortunately there were periods of responsibility which are identifiable and these form a framework for the appreciation of his career as set out in the sections which follow.