Abel Smith JP (30 December 1829 – 30 May 1898) was an English landowner of the Smith banking family and Conservative politician.
Smith was the son of Abel Smith and his wife Frances Anne Calvert. His father was MP for various constituencies, and his mother was the daughter of General Sir Harry Calvert.[1]
Smith was elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Hertfordshire in 1854 but lost the seat in 1857. His father died in 1859 and he inherited the 11,000-acre (45 km2) estate of Woodhall Park, Hertfordshire and various other properties.[2] He was re-elected for Hertfordshire in 1859 and lost the seat again in 1865. In 1866 he was elected for Hertfordshire again, holding the seat until the constituency was abolished in 1885. In 1885 he was elected MP for Hertford, and held the seat until his death. Smith was also lord of the manor of Rennesley[3] and Justice of the Peace.
Smith married Lady Susan Emma Pelham, daughter Henry Thomas Pelham, 3rd Earl of Chichester on 7 April 1853. Their son Abel Henry Smith was subsequently MP for Hertford.
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Thomas Plumer Halsey Sir Henry Meux Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton |
Member of Parliament for Hertfordshire 1854 – 1857 With: Sir Henry Meux Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton |
Succeeded by Christopher William Puller Sir Henry Meux Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton |
| Preceded by Christopher William Puller Sir Henry Meux Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton |
Member of Parliament for Hertfordshire 1859 – 1865 With: Christopher William Puller 1859–1864 Henry Edward Surtees 1864–1865 Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton 1859–1865 |
Succeeded by Henry Edward Surtees Henry Cowper Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton |
| Preceded by Henry Edward Surtees Henry Cowper Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton |
Member of Parliament for Hertfordshire 1866 – 1885 With: Henry Edward Surtees 1866–1868 Henry Brand 1868–1874 Thomas Frederick Halsey 1874–1885 Henry Cowper 1866–1885 |
Constituency abolished |
| Preceded by Arthur James Balfour |
Member of Parliament for Hertford 1885 – 1898 |
Succeeded by Evelyn Cecil |