William Frederick Danvers Smith, 2nd Viscount Hambleden (12 August 1868 – 16 June 1928), known as Frederick Smith, was an English businessman and politician.
He was involved in the management of the family business, W H Smith, which was founded by his grandfather, William Henry Smith.
In 1891, he succeeded his father William Henry Smith as Member of Parliament for the Strand constituency, holding the seat until January 1910.
Smith's rapid succession to the seat his father held in Parliament may have played a role in one of the odder events of Frederick Smith's life. By suddenly rising to public prominence he was targeted for blackmail by the notorious Canadian-American-British poisoner Dr. Thomas Neill Cream, who (writing under an assumed name) claimed to have proof that Smith had poisoned a prostitute. This was one of three known attempts at blackmail that may have been the real motive for Cream's string of poisonings in the Stepney and Lambeth areas of London from October 1891 to April 1892. They played a small role in the final arrest, prosecution, and conviction of Cream at the Old Bailey in October 1892, and his execution the following month.[1]
Smith was commissioned Lieutenant in the 2nd Buckinghamshire Rifle Volunteers (Eton College) in 1885, but resigned in 1887. In 1891 he was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Royal 1st Devon Yeomanry. He was promoted Lieutenant in 1892, Captain in 1895, Major in 1902, and Lieutenant-Colonel in 1914. He served with the Imperial Yeomanry during the Boer War.
He succeeded his mother, Emily Smith, as Viscount Hambleden following her death in 1913. Smith was succeeded by William Henry Smith.
Smith was made Honorary Colonel of the Royal Devon Yeomanry Artillery in 1922.
Smith was the main sponsor of the Victoria County History from 1909 until 1931.[2]
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by William Henry Smith |
Member of Parliament for Strand 1891–1910 |
Succeeded by Walter Hume Long |
| Peerage of the United Kingdom | ||
| Preceded by Emily Smith |
Viscount Hambleden 1913–1928 |
Succeeded by William Smith |