Abel Smith (1748-1779)
Encyclopedia
Abel Smith was a British Member of Parliament
.
Smith was the second son of Abel Smith, a Nottingham
banker who, following his father, also called Abel, had continued developing the business into what was by the end of the century to become one of the biggest private banks in England. The first Abel Smith had contented himself with using some of his wealth to intervene in other people's elections. Abel the second eventually entered Parliament for a pocket borough in 1774. Four years later, in October 1778, the young Abel could rely on the family's standing in his home city to secure election for Nottingham
; however, he died only three months later.
His younger brother, Robert
, followed him as MP for Nottingham, and took over the business on his father's death. In 1796 was raised to the peerage as Lord Carrington
. Three of Abel's other brothers also became MPs.
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
.
Smith was the second son of Abel Smith, a Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
banker who, following his father, also called Abel, had continued developing the business into what was by the end of the century to become one of the biggest private banks in England. The first Abel Smith had contented himself with using some of his wealth to intervene in other people's elections. Abel the second eventually entered Parliament for a pocket borough in 1774. Four years later, in October 1778, the young Abel could rely on the family's standing in his home city to secure election for Nottingham
Nottingham (UK Parliament constituency)
Nottingham was a parliamentary borough in Nottinghamshire, which elected two Members of Parliament to the House of Commons from 1295. In 1885 the constituency was abolished and the city of Nottingham divided into three single-member constituencies....
; however, he died only three months later.
His younger brother, Robert
Robert Smith, 1st Baron Carrington
Robert Smith, 1st Baron Carrington FRS was a British Member of Parliament and banker.Smith was the third son of Abel Smith and his wife Mary . His grandfather Abel Smith was the third son of Thomas Smith, the founder of Smith's Bank of Nottingham. Smith was elected to the House of Commons for...
, followed him as MP for Nottingham, and took over the business on his father's death. In 1796 was raised to the peerage as Lord Carrington
Baron Carrington
Baron Carrington is a title that has been created three times, once in the Peerage of England, once in the Peerage of Ireland and once in the Peerage of Great Britain. The first creation came in the Peerage of England in 1643 in favour of Sir Charles Smyth. Only a few days later he was created...
. Three of Abel's other brothers also became MPs.