Mortimer Knight Smart
Mortimer Knight Smart (1827-1857)
1858 Obituary [1]
MR. MORTIMER KNIGHT SMART was born at Hayling Island, Hampshire, on the 9th day of March, 1827.
He remained with his father, who carried on the business of a builder and mason, until the year 1845, by which time he had acquired a practical knowledge of masonry in all its departments.
He was then compelled to seek employment elsewhere, and was entirely dependent upon his own resources. On coming to London, he spent some time in the practical part of his calling, sometimes executing work on his own account, and at other times for employers.
During the railway mania of 1846, his assiduity, intelligence, and good temper attracted the attention of Mr. Fulton, M. Inst. C.E., who being at that time engaged on various railway and other works, gave Mr. Smart employment; he was, however, principally employed in maturing the designs and plans for the Norfolk Estuary Navigation, at Lynn. He remained with Mr. Fulton up to the year 1850, assisting in the various undertakings with which that gentleman was connected, when he entered into an engagement with the late Mr. Oldfield, as superintendent of extensive building operations near Primrose-hill. There he remained two years; at the end of which time he again returned to Mr. Fulton, and was employed in preparing the designs and plans for the works of the West End of London and Crystal Palace Railway, and on various other railway and drainage surveys.
In the month of September, 1856, he was engaged as agent to Messrs. Bray, Champney, and Co., the contractors for the works connected with the Bombay water supply. He sailed for India on the 20th of that month, with hopes and prospects as bright and encouraging as could be wished; but the fatal influence of the climate, aggravated probably by an energy which could not brook precaution, proved too much for his strength. In little more than ten months from the time of his arrival in India, he was seized with an affection of the liver, which in a short time led to a fatal result.
His early practical education gave him confidence in his own powers, which were of a high order. His conduct was characterized by sound discrimination, a high sense of truthfulness, and an unswerving integrity, which won the regard and esteem of all with whom he was associated.
His death, which occurred at Byculla, Bombay, on the 20th August, 1857, was deeply regretted by a numerous circle of friends, who entertained hopes of his ultimately taking a prominent position in his profession.