Henrietta Constance (Harriet) Smithson (1800 - 3 March 1854) was an Anglo-Irish actress, the first wife of Hector Berlioz, and the inspiration for his Symphonie Fantastique.
She was the daughter of a theatrical manager. She made her first stage appearance in 1815 at the Crow Street Theatre, Dublin, as Albina Mandeville in Frederick Reynolds's The Will. Three years later she made her first London appearance at Drury Lane as Letitia Hardy in The Belle's Stratagem.
She had no particular success in England, but went to Paris in 1828 and 1832, first with William Charles Macready. There she aroused immense enthusiasm as Desdemona, Virginia, Juliet and Jane Shore, in the tragedy by Nicholas Rowe. She had a host of admirers, among them Hector Berlioz, whom she married in 1833. They separated in 1840.
Berlioz discovered her at the Odéon Theatre performing the roles of Juliet and Ophelia and immediately fell in love with her, sending her letters despite never having met her. This continued for many years until the 1832 performance of Lélio, a sequel to his Symphonie Fantastique, when he discovered a mutual acquaintance and offered her a box of tickets. She came to the performance, realizing that the symphony was about her (as was strongly suggested by the program notes) and eventually they married.
At the time of her marriage her popularity was past and she was deeply in debt. A benefit was given her, but she was coldly received. She retired from the stage.
Louis Berlioz, the only child of Hector and Harriet, was born on 14 August 1834. As a young man Louis joined the merchant navy and rose to the rank of commander. He died on 5 June 1867 of yellow fever while on duty at Havana. His death dealt a devastating blow to his father.
This portrait has been copied on a large oval image painted on a vase, Paris Porcelain, manufactured by Darte, ca.1830, Musée de la Vie romantique, Paris (gift of the Friends of the Museum, 2009).