Joshua Toulmin Smith and His Family
20th April 2026 @ 7:00 pm
Joshua Toulmin Smith was a barrister who lived in Wood Lane and is buried in St Mary’s Churchyard, Hornsey. He had many interests including constitutional law, public health, the role of Parliament, geology, the Hungarian campaign for independence in 1848, the history of Birmingham (his city of birth) and one of the oldest surviving buildings there, and the historical English Gilds.
His children included Lucy and Arthur. Lucy became the first female librarian of an Oxford college. Arthur was an engineer who worked in Tzarist Moscow and sent letters home which have survived. The talk will highlight aspects of their lives.
About the Speaker
After a degree in history, Bessie was a social worker and later taught English as a Second Language at West Thames College in Isleworth where she lives with her husband. Now retired, she has recently published a book based on the letters from Arthur, her maternal great-grandfather. She is currently working on the restoration of Joshua’s gravestone and an information board on his work on geology and role as first President of the Geologist’s Association.
Details
HHS Talks are free for members of the Society. The talk is also available on Zoom for members who will receive the link by email.
Non-members are welcome to attend in person (subject to there being enough space available) and are encouraged to make a donation (suggested minimum £5.00) or sign up for membership on the night.
Hornsey Historical Society
Image credits
Speaker’s collection