Smith Sir William Sidney

Smith, SIR WILLIAM SIDNEY, was born in 1764, entered the navy as a child, and for his courage in Rodney's action off Cape St. Vincent got his lieutenancy in 1780, becoming a captain after many gallant services at the age of eighteen, From 1790 to 1792 he was naval adviser to the King of Sweden, and received knighthood. Sent on a mission to Constantinople, he joined Lord Hood off Toulon and helped to burn the French fleet. In 1796 he was taken prisoner whilst operating against privateers in the Channel, passed two years in prison, and made his romantic escape from the Temple. Next year he forced Napoleon to raise the siege of Acre, and was wounded at Aboukir, where he served as a brigadier under Abercromby. Returning to England, he received many honours and rewards, and was elected M.P. for Rochester. In 1814 his career practically came to an end, and he settled among his old enemies in Paris, where he died in 1840.